James Franco Rumored For Shane Black’s Predator

It looks like Shane Black’s upcoming Predator movie may have found its leading man. Rumor has it that the film is looking to cast James Franco to go toe-to-toe with the deadly alien.

Black reportedly was first looking it more proven action stars, including Ben Affleck, Christian Bale, and Tom Hardy, but now the production is looking at the 127 Hours star instead. Franco also starred in Rise of the Planet of the Apes for 20th Century Fox and anchored Hulu’s television adaptation of Stephe King’s time travel story 11/22/63.

Black is said to be looking to recreate the intimate feel of the original Predator with his new installment in the franchise. Arnold Schwarzenegger has also hinted that he may return to the franchise as his character from the original. Filming is expected to commence in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in September 2016. The film is eyeing an early 2018 release date.

The Predator franchise began with the original film in 1987. Predator 2 followed in 1990. The franchise went silent for over a decade until the titular alien was brought back for the crossover 2004 film Alien vs. Predator, a concept built on an Easter egg from the earlier films. A sequel, Alien vs. Predator: Requiem, followed in 2007. A sequel separate from the Alien franchise, Predators, came in 2010 but failed to revitalize the franchise in a significant way.

Via Heroic Hollywood