James Franco becomes Aron Ralston for "127 Hours"

By Siewaun
Reference: Variety

James Franco ("Spider-Man trilogy," "Pineapple Express") will be starring in Danny Boyle's directed "127 Hours," based on the true story of mountaineer Aron Ralston.

The movie tells the true story of mountaineer Aron Ralston who was forced to amputate his lower right arm with a dull knife to free himself after it got pinned under a boulder for nearly five days during a climb in Utah in May 2003. He then scaled a 65-foot sheer wall and hiked out before running into a family that gave him water and food, and alerted the authorities. He was finally rescued by a helicopter search team.

Simon Beaufoy is writing the script, and Christian Colson will produce. Searchlight is financing and will distribute the movie in partnership with Pathe.

Shooting is set to begin in March in Utah, and scheduled for release late 2010.