Credit: Variety
Rumors that Timothy Olyphant (Deadwood, Live Free or Die Hard) was to be cast in the lead role of Agent 47 in the Luc Besson-produced Hitman have now been confirmed by Variety.
Tyro Xavier Gens will direct the pic for Twentieth Century Fox, and production is slated to begin in March in Europe.
Skip Woods’ script is based on the best-selling Hitman videogame franchise set in the world of Agent 47, a genetically engineered assassin.
According to the trade magainze, Fox also sees the film as having franchise potential, and Olyphant’s deal allows for sequels.
Besson is producing via his Europa Corp., along with Chuck Gordon and Adrian Askarieh. Daniel Alter co-produces.
Vin Diesel was previously attached as the lead but opted out to star in Fox’s big-budget tentpole Babylon A.D.
