Hollywood has been trying to adapt Phillip Carlo’s Ice Man: Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer for years.  And why wouldn’t they?  The story of the hitman Richard “The Ice Man” Kuklinski is certainly a cinematic one.  The 6’5’’ 300lb. man was reportedly responsible for the deaths of at least 30 people over the course of his 30 year career, with his rumored kill count numbering around 200 according to his own estimates.

Things seemed to gain a little steam with the property last year when Mickey “plays with himself” Rourke signed to star in the title role under the directorial eyes of The Hughes Brothers.  While all three eventually dropped out, Michael Shannon boarded the project earlier this year as Rourke’s replacement and James Franco signed up to play Kuklinski’s partner and protégé, Robert “Mr. Softee” Pronge.  Yep, that’s right.  A contract killer named Mr. Softee.  I’m not even going to bother cracking wise about that one.

I know you are all going to be shocked by this, but Franco dropped out of the film not too long ago.  I can’t imagine why?  I mean it isn’t like the guy is signed up for enough projects to fill his schedule for the next decade?  Oh wait…

Joking aside, Millennium/Nu Image have found their replacement in the form of Chris Evans.  I’m not a big Franco fan, but I can certainly get behind an assassination-filled flick fronted by Shannon and Evans.  The Iceman is set to begin production in Detroit next month.  Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ray Liotta, Elias Koteas, David Schwimmer, and Tommy Flanagan round out the rest of the cast.

Source | Deadline