Paul Bettany has joined the cast of The Secret Life of Bees, the movie version of the best-selling novel.

Bettany will play widower, T. Ray Owens, the father of the film's 14-year-old central character (Lily Owens) portrayed by Dakota Fanning.

The flick begins shooting this week in North Carolina.

Bettany joins an ensemble cast that includes Fanning, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo and Tristan Wilds.