Brett Ratner is reportedly in talks to direct The Wolf Man after Mark Romanek pulled out of the project.

According to Ain't It Cool News, Ratner is the favourite to helm the Universal film, a remake of the 1941 horror classic.

Romanek, who directed One Hour Photo, quit the production weeks before filming was due to begin.

The new movie stars Benicio Del Toro and is due for release in 2009.

Ratner's previous projects include the Rush Hour series, Red Dragon, After the Sunset and X-Men: The Last Stand.