Matthew Fox signs on for 'I, Alex Cross'

Matthew Fox has reportedly signed on as the main villain in a reboot of James Patterson's popular Alex Cross series of novels.

According to Deadline, in a drastic departure from his role as the heroic Jack in Lost, Fox will play villainous assassin Michael Sullivan in the Rob Cohen-directed I, Alex Cross.

Sullivan is described as a "ruthless man who kills for money and enjoys it", and begins his long-running conflict with Cross when he murders the detective's wife as payback for a botched assassination.

The role marks Fox's first big-screen appearance in three years, after appearing in the Wachoski brothers' anime adaptation Speed Racer in 2008. The actor previously admitted that after starring in six seasons of Lost, he had no desire to return to television..

For Coloured Girls star Tyler Perry will play the titular role of Alex Cross, while Saving Private Ryan actor Ed Burns will play his partner Tommy Kane.

I, Alex Cross has yet to be officially picked up, although three studios are said to be vying for a distribution deal.

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