Director Brett Ratner is in final negotiations to take on literature's most famous barbarian.
Over the past few weeks, Ratner has been considering signing on to direct a 21st century update of "
Conan," co-produced by Nu Image/Millennium and Lionsgate Films, even as he pushes another high-profile project -- a fourth installment of the "Beverly Hills Cop" franchise -- toward a greenlight at Paramount, where he recently set up shop.