James Franco is apparently Sam Raimi’s first choice as the new Jack Ryan, in the proposed reboot of the series that the Spiderman director is thought to be developing. Franco is currently starring in Pineapple Express and gives a surprisingly funny performance in the action comedy. But Paramount are reportedly hesitant to cast Franco in the role, and the studio and director have been butting heads over it - with rumours that Raimi may walk before a script has been finalised. Franco has been veering off the mainstream lately to direct and develop his own projects after a couple of disappointing films; with the financial success of Express there could yet be room for negotiation. Ryan Gosling has previously been linked to the role.
