The Hollywood Reporter reports that Brett Ratner ("Rush Hour") is in final talks to direct a new "Conan" film for Nu Image/Millennium and Lionsgate Films. This comes as Ratner is finalizing talks to also direct "Beverly Hills Cop 4," which will star Eddie Murphy.

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

"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," producer Avi Lerner said. "This is a coup for Millennium Films and proves that our choice of projects and material is attracting much higher-profile directors and actors."

"Conan" is based on the pulp stories from the 1920s by Robert E. Howard. Joshua Oppenheimer and Thomas Dean Donnelly ("Sahara") wrote the script and are making adjustments for Ratner for a potential 2010 release.