As Shane Black's long-brewing "The Predator" moves ever closer to its targeted fall start date, we may have a clue as to who will face off against the iconic extraterrestrial hunter. May.

In this week's episode of "Meet the Movie Press," host Jeff Sneider contends powerful Hollywood talent agency Creative Artists Agency is pushing for James Franco to land the starring role in the Fox film. Sneider suggests that although Franco may not be Black's top choice, "he is very high on a list."

Fox has worked with Franco on "127 Hours," for which he was nominated for an Academy Award and "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," and he'll star opposite Bryan Cranston in the upcoming comedy "Why Him?" So clearly the studio likes him.

Franco would presumably play the character Quinn Mackenna, whom Black mentioned while making the press rounds for "The Nice Guys" (although he noted the name could change).

The filmmaker said just last month that he hopes to reintroduce “a sense of mystery” to the 30-year-old sci-fi franchise. “We’re going to get a great cast and we really just write it and write and write it,” he said.

"The Predator" is expected to arrive in theaters in March 2018.

(via MovieWeb)