Robert Pattinson and Guy Pearce feature in the first image from The Rover, Digital Spy said.

Pearce reunites with Animal Kingdom director David Michôd on the Western, which is set in a dangerous near-future against a backdrop of financial collapse.

After his last possession - his car - is stolen by a gang of criminals, Eric (Pearce) sets out to track them down, and enlists the help of Pattinson's character, a naive and injured gang member who has been left behind.

Entertainment Weekly released the image, which highlights the tense first meeting between Pearce and Pattinson's characters.

"The basic story is really quite elemental," Michôd explained. "You've got a really dark, dangerous, murderous person in Guy's character, and in Rob's character you have a quite troubled and damaged, but beautiful and naïve, soul."

Scoot McNairy (Argo) co-stars in the film, which was penned by Michôd from a story co-conceived by Joel Edgerton.

The Rover is currently filming, and is scheduled for a release in late 2013.