James Franco is in talks to join Fox’s ‘X-Men’ universe.
The 39-year-old actor is in negotiations to play Multiple Man in a new standalone movie being developed by producer Simon Kinberg – who is currently working on ‘X-Men: The Dark Phoenix’, The Hollywood Reporter said.
The film will reportedly be penned by ‘Wonder Woman’ scribe Allan Heinberg and will be produced by Kinberg under his Genre Films label and Franco’s Ramona Films.
Multiple Man, also called James Madrox, was created by writer Len Wein and first appeared in ‘Giant -Size Fantastic Four #4’ in 1975.
The hero has the ability to create instant duplicates of himself and was mainly a minor or supporting character until he appeared in the 1987 mini comic book series ‘Fallen Angels’, which was team of teenage superheroes.
Multiple Man underwent greater development under writer Peter David through the monthly series ‘X-Factor’ in the 1990s and in the 2000s.
Franco won’t be the first actor to bring the character to the big screen with Eric Dane playing him in 2006’s ‘X-Men: The Last Stand’ which was directed by Brett Ratner and written by Kinberg.
Fox has currently been ramping up their ‘X-Men’ universe and is set to release three films next year ‘Dark Phoenix’, ‘New Mutants’ and the Ryan Reynolds-led ‘Deadpool 2’.
Olivia Munn, who will reprise her role as the Marvel Comics heroine Psylocke in ‘Dark Phoenix’, recently revealed the film will be split into two movies.
She said: "I don’t know what I’m supposed to say. I’m supposed to be vague. That’s my answer. I’m horrible at that. It’s like a two parter, this movie. That’s more than I’ve said, in general. I don’t know why people have to be so secretive."
A Gambit movie – which is set to star Channing Tatum – is also in the works with Gore Verbinski set to helm.
As well, ‘Logan’ star Dafne Keen – who starred as Laura in the hit R-rated movie – is also getting her own spin-off with filmmaker James Mangold developing the production.
James Franco in talks for X-Men spin-off
