The "X-Men 3" director is negotiating with Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment to head up their remake of the science fiction film, the entertainment publication reported Friday.

The new version of the classic film, which was directed by Jack Arnold, will reportedly star comedian and actor Eddie Murphy.

While the screenplay for the 1957 film was penned by Richard Matheson, who wrote the novel on which the recent film "I Am Legend" was based, the new screenplay was created by Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant. The cinematic pair is known for their work on the films "Night at the Museum" and "Reno 911!"

The Reporter said Ratner is currently working on a film biography of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner.