Now We're Even Closer To A Ratner Directed CONAN...

Merrick here...
A few weeks ago, Moriarty broke the news that the new CONAN movie had found a director - Brett Ratner. HERE is that story. A lot of hoped this news would go away. Alas... Now comes word that Ratner's deal to direct the film is being finalized.

As for "Conan," Millennium and Lionsgate are eyeing a potential franchise and envision a very R-rated approach in the $85 million budget range.

...says THIS ARTICLE in Hollywood Reporter, which offers a quote from Millennium Films' Avi Lerner:

"The story opens on the battlefield where Conan is born and tells the origin story that sets the stage for what will be the first of multiple films, Lerner said.

Indications are the Ratner-directed BEVERLY HILLS COP 4 (if that's what it ends up being called) will go into production first. Is it wrong that I named my little Spore (from the game SPORE) "Ratner"?