LOS ANGELES - Eva Mendes is getting dirty for "Cleaner," a thriller being directed by Renny Harlin.

Also signed on is Christa Campbell, joining a cast toplined by Samuel L. Jackson, Ed Harris and Keke Palmer.

Written by Matthew Aldrich, the story centers on a former cop (Jackson) who makes his living cleaning up crime scenes. After cleaning a murder site, he discovers that the crime was never reported to the police and that he has unwittingly covered up a homicide.

Production began Monday in Louisiana on the Millennium Films/Anonymous Content project.

Mendes will play the widow of the slain man, who turns to Jackson for help. Campbell will be a coach to Jackson's daughter (Palmer).

Mendes co-stars opposite Nicolas Cage in "Ghost Rider," which opens February 16, and co-stars opposite Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Wahlberg in Universal's "We Own the Night." She also will appear in "Live!"

Campbell's upcoming credits include "88 Minutes" with Al Pacino as well as "Blonde Ambition" and "Day of the Dead."