James Franco Is New Jack Ryan?

Jack Ryan is coming back. Tom Clancy’s eponymous square-jawed hero is making his way back to the big screen via a brand new movie not based on one of Clancy’s novels.

We revealed how Sam Raimi had been brought on board to direct back in March, and in May discussed rumours that Harrison Ford was going to return to the character he played in Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. But now there’s a new name in the frame.

This is merely a rumour at the moment, but a source has told CHUD that James Franco, currently starring in Pineapple Express, is being touted as the next man to play Jack Ryan. Raimi is said to be convinced that Franco is the man, and so believes in his choice that he’s willing to walk away from the project altogether if Paramount don’t back him.

If you think Franco is too young to play a character already played by Harrison Ford, Alec Baldwin, and Ben Affleck, then it should be noted that this restarting of the franchise is going to see Ryan as a young CIA agent rather than the experienced man seen in earlier films.

This strategy is clearly an attempt at turning the character in to the new Jason Bourne, and I certainly think Franco has it in him to up his game to become Jack Ryan. Unless of course they bring Affleck back again. No, they wouldn’t would they?