Werner Herzog's biopic about Gertrude Bell, an English writer and political officer who helped establish the Hashemite dynasties in what is today Jordan as well as in Iraq has James Franco circling the role that Jude Law was going to play.
Previously scheduled to start shooting ‘in late fall of 2012‘ and then rescheduled for March shoot in Morocco with Naomi Watts, Robert Pattinson and with Jude Law attached, Herzog's next narrative feature was on hold. Now it appears Oz the Great and Powerful himself may ride in to save the day because Law's likely unable to participate since his scheduling window had closed.
The film has Watts set to star as famous British Intelligence female spy, while Pattison is attached to star in the film as T.E. Lawrence, the British army officer best known by his nickname Lawrence of Arabia (or should Franco take this role, we do not know yet).
The free-spirited Franco is currently filming true life crime drama True Story with Jonah Hill and Felicity Jones and will soon be seen in apocalyptic stoner comedy This Is The End.
Ridley Scott also has his own version of the Gertrude Bell tale that Angelina Jolie was eyeing, but it looks like Scott seems preoccupied with his Biblical film Exodus that will star Christian Bale.
However, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Herzog.
Franco will be a miscast. Bring in Jeremy Northam who has been away too long.