EXCLUSIVE: Kevin Bacon is in final negotiations to play the villain in Universal’s “R.I.P.D.” starring Ryan Reynolds.
The supernatural pic will be directed by Robert Schwentke and also stars Jeff Bridges.
Based on the comicbook series by Peter Lenkov, the story follows a cop killed in the line of duty who is recruited by a team of undead police officers working for the Rest in Peace Department. He then tries to find the man who murdered him.
Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi adapted the script with Neil H. Moritz, Mike Richardson, Ryan Reynolds and Jonathon Komack Martin producing through Dark Horse Entertainment, Original Film and Dark Trick Films. David Dobkin, Keith Goldberg and Ori Marmur will serve as exec producers.
Though he has portrayed plenty of good guys over his career, some of Bacon’s more memorable roles have been as the baddies in films like “The River Wild” and “Hollow Man.” He received strong reviews playing the villain in this summer’s “X-Men: First Class.”
He can also be seen in Warner’s “Crazy Stupid Love” and is currently filming “Jayne Mansfield’s Car,” directed by Billy Bob Thorton.
Bacon is repped by WME and The Schiff Company.
