Fox Searchlight is reportedly eyeing Bradley Cooper as the lead for Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Nightmare Alley. He will possibly replace Leonardo DiCaprio after the Oscar-winner passed on the project.

Variety reports that Cooper is in early talks to star in the film. A source from the magazine says that while the actor received an offer and is currently in talks, the deal is yet to close.

Last month it was reported that the Nightmare Alley reboot will star DiCaprio. However, a deal wasn’t reached between production and the veteran actor.

The upcoming film will be written and directed by del Toro with Kim Morgan as a co-writer. Production will be financed by del Toro, Miles Dales, and TSG Entertainment. It will be exclusively distributed worldwide by Fox Searchlight.

The original 1947 Nightmare Alley was produced by Fox. It starred Tyrone Power as a con-man who teams up with a female psychiatrist to manipulate people with a mentalist act. However, the tables are turned when the psychiatrist out-manipulates the manipulator.

Variety reports that del Toro is currently filling out remaining roles for the film. Production will reportedly start this fall.

If Cooper stars in the film, this will be one of his next acting projects after his directorial debut for A Star Is Born. The successful debut raked in over $400 million internationally. It went on to score multiple Academy Award nominations for Cooper including Best Picture and Best Actor.

The actor-director is currently working on a Leonard Bernstein biopic in which is set to star in and direct once more.