Oscar-winner Brody signs for 'Predator' remake

(AFP)

Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody has signed to star in a big-budget reboot of the "Predator" science-fiction films, entertainment industry press reported Wednesday.

Brody, 36, who scooped best actor honors at the 2003 Academy Awards for his role in Holocaust drama "The Pianist", will play a mercenary who battles the fearsome alien hunters, Daily Variety reported.

Variety reported that the relaunch of the franchise -- titled "Predators" -- had been set for July 2010 and would be Brody's first action hero role.

The report said Brody's character would be similar to that of Arnold Schwarzenegger's in the original 1987 film. Brody will play a mercenary whose men are gradually picked off by the aliens.

Fox is optimistic the film will spring a new franchise, and Brody has signed for future installments, the report said.

Since his 2003 Oscar win, Brody have included "King Kong" and "The Darjeeling Limited."

Launched in 1987, "Predator" spawned one sequel and two spin-offs, "Alien vs Predator" and "Alien vs Predator: Requiem."

The films have earned more than 212 million dollars in North America since their release, according to movie site boxofficemojo.com.