‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ Director and Mark Wahlberg Eye ‘The Gambler’ Remake

Shortly after J.J. Abrams' commented that 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' director Rupert Wyatt would be a great choice to helm 'Star Trek 3' for Paramount, his candidate looked elsewhere. Wyatt, along with 'Transformers 4' star Mark Wahlberg, has his eyes set on 'The Gambler,' another Paramount project.

A remake of the Karel Reisz’s 1974 drama starring James Caan, 'The Gambler' was originally planned as a vehicle for Martin Scorsese (with his 'Wolf of Wall Street' star Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead) and then Todd Phillips ('The Hangover'). Now that neither have settled in the director's seat, The Wrap reports that Wyatt is currently in negotiations to take the job with Wahlberg circling the lead role.

'The Gambler' of the '70s was based on the autobiographical novel by James Toback, and centered around a literature professor falling into some trouble with his girlfriend, mother and local gangsters, thanks to his gambling problem.

J.J. Abrams ('Star Trek Into Darkness,' 'Star Wars: Episode 7') recently stated that Wyatt is "incredibly talented, and we’d be lucky to have someone as talented as Rupert [direct 'Star Trek 3,']" though it's since been confirmed that no official offer has been extended his way. Originally aiming to direct 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,' before that gig ultimately went to Matthew Reeves, Wyatt has yet to decide on a follow-up to his 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' blockbuster.