Nicolas Cage is set to slide into the role of mobster Al Capone in a prequel to 1987’s "The Untouchables" that will examine the gangster’s early years and rise to power.
Per MTV, Cage steps into a role made well-known by Robert DeNiro, who played Capone in the original film. "The Untouchables: Capone Rising," will chronicle Capone’s ascent in the Chicago underworld and his early interaction with Irish policeman Jimmy Malone (played by Sean Connery in the 1987 flick).
Best of all for fans of the original, the prequel will be directed by none other than Brian De Palma, who helmed the first flick and worked with Cage on 1998’s "Snake Eyes."
MTV’s Larry Carroll notes rumors of casting Sean Penn or Colin Farrell in the Malone role; according to IMDB, script comes courtesy of "Hurlyburly" playwright David Rabe and "Rounders" scribes Brian Koppelman and David Levien.
The Paramount production is set to begin filming in October, with a tentative 2008 release date.
