A couple weeks ago it was teased by Jeff on Meet The Movie Press that James Franco‘s agency had been pushing Fox to consider him for the lead in Shane Black‘s The Predator. After rumored potential candidates such as Ben Affleck, Christian Bale and Tom Hardy seemingly passed-up on the part earlier.
Well, we learned not too long ago that Franco had actually passed too.
The Hollywood Reporter is confirming this with another project he’s attached himself to that would directly conflict with the production of The Predator. James is said to be playing the villain in the science fiction thriller Kin co-starring Jack Reynor, Zoe Kravitz and Dennis Quaid. Kin will be produced by Stranger Things‘ Shawn Levy.
Jonathan and Josh Baker will direct the film based on their own short film, Bag Man. Daniel Casey penned the script, which follows a recently released ex-con (Reynor) and his adopted younger brother who are forced to go on the run. Chased by a vengeful criminal (Franco), the feds and a cadre of otherworldly soldiers, their only protection is a found weapon of mysterious ancestry.
Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen of 21 Laps Entertainment will produce along with Jeff Arkuss, David Gross and Jesse Shapira of No Trace Camping. The film is slated to begin shooting Oct. 24.
The Predator and Kin are said to begin production in October, making it impossible for Franco to do both.
Considering production on The Predator will begin next month, Fox should be making big casting announcements very soon.
Thanks to AVPGalaxy for connecting the dots.