Predator 4 Eyeing James Franco as the Lead?

After a few years of development under director writer-directorShane Black, 20th Century Fox’sThe Predatoris finally getting ready to move forward. We reported last month that production is scheduled to begin this September, wrapping up in December, but no cast members have been confirmed quite yet. There have been rumors that originalPredatorstarArnold Schwarzeneggerwill return to play Dutch, while other reports claim that rapper/actor50 Centhas also come aboard. Today we have yet another rumor, which claims that one of Hollywood’s biggest talent agencies, Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is pushingJames Francoto star inPredator.

The news comes from theYouTubeseries Meet the Movie Press, where The Wrap reporterJeff Sneiderteased that CAA is pushing forJames Franco. Of course, nothing has been confirmed at this time, and it isn’t known ifShane Blackwould be interested in castingJames Franco, but apparently CAA is pushing to get their client cast. Here’s whatJeff Sneiderhad to say on Meet the Movie Press earlier today.

“Maybe he’s notShane Black’s top choice, but the powerhouse agency CAA, they are pushing the nameJames Francoto star inPredator. He is very high on a list, that’s all I know at this point. Every agency, if they’re getting behind one guy, CAA’s, one of the top two agencies, isJames Franco.James Francostarred in(Rise of the) Planet of the Apesfor Fox, and he stars in their big Christmas comedyWhy Him?withBryan Cranston, which I think Fox feels very confident about, dropping trailers last week. Fox seems to like theJames Francobrand. It would be pretty interesting. I thinkShane Blackwants to do someone a little bit different.”

Last month,Shane Blackrevealed the new hero of thisPredator rebootwill be a character named Quinn Mackenna, although the name may change. Even ifArnold Schwarzeneggerdoes come aboard as Dutch, which still has not been confirmed, it seems he won’t be the main hero, although we don’t know anything else about Quinn Mackenna except for his name. Hopefully we’ll start to hear more about casting as we get closer to the fall production start.

Shane Blackwill direct from a script he co-wrote withFred Dekker, with 20th Century Fox handing out a February 9, 2018release date.Predatorwill go up against Universal’sFifty Shades Freedand an Untitled Warner Animation Group Project, with Marvel’sBlack Pantherhitting theaters one weekend later on August 10, 2025. We’ll keep you posted with more onPredatoras soon as more updates are available. Take a look at today’s episode of Meet the Movie Press, with theJames Franco/Predatornews coming at the 28:58 mark.