It seems everyone wants a piece of "Thor" star Chris Hemsworth these days. Steven Spielberg is rounding him up for "Robopocalypse," Universal is eager for more 'Huntsman' and Ron Howard is revving him up in "Rush." Now, CBS Films is ready to give the actor yet another franchise.
The studio has put $10 million dollars in the metaphorical brief to offer him a role in the brewing "American Assassin." Based on the novel by Vince Flynn, the story centers on Mitch Rapp, a maverick, unorthodox CIA terrorist hunter, and it establishes how the agent got in the game. If he signs, Hemsworth will take the lead, with Bruce Willis already in talks to play his mentor. Jeffrey Nachmanoff ("Traitor," "Homeland") is lined up to direct after a number of helmers — Ed Zwick and Antoine Fuqua among them — kicked the tires on the long-gestating project.
Whether or not he takes the gig remains to be seen. Hemsworth is now reaching the point where he can afford to be choosy, though $10 million, plus a potential new franchise, is likely very attractive. But on the other hand, it's another action role, and the actor might want to try stretching his wings a bit. We'll see, but we won't be surprised if he indeed takes the Rapp. [Deadline]
