James Franco, terrific as James Dean in that 2001 telemovie, has optioned the rights to a new Sal Mineo book with plans to write and direct a film based on the actor’s life, says THR. Mineo, of course, starred opposite James Dean in “Rebel Without a Cause”, ultimately garnering him an Oscar nomination. At age 37, Mineo was murdered.

“Sal Mineo : A Biography”, released in November, details the actor’s rise in such films as “Rebel” and “Exodus”, his relationships (one of which was with Natalie Wood), and his death at the hands of a pizza delivery man.

One would assume that James Dean would be a prominent figure in the story, thus, it’s a given that Franco would likely end up playing the part.

Franco, who recently complained Fox’s “Rise of the Apes”, seems intent on making a name for himself as a director. He also recently snagged the film rights to Stephen Elliott’s memoir ”The Adderall Diaries”.