An associate of author Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club) reached out to LitReactor today to announce that actor/filmmaker James Franco has optioned the rights to his 2007 novel Rant. Here's what the author's unspecified contact had to say below, revealing that casting news and a release date will be announced at a later date.

"As of last night we've finalized a deal for James Franco to option my novel Rant. Details about the casting, shooting and a proposed release date will be forthcoming. Hurray. After the opportunity to work with Brad Pitt, Edward Norton and Sam Rockwell, I can't imagine a more exciting actor to work with than Franco."

No studio is attached at this time, and it isn't known if James Franco plans on writing the adaptation himself, or if he will direct and star as well. Only two of Chuck Palahniuk's novels have been adapted for the big screen, David Fincher's Fight Club starring Brad Pitt and Edward Norton, and Clark Gregg's Choke starring Sam Rockwell.

Rant tells the life story of Buster "Rant" Casey, pieced together by stories from friends and family members after his fiery highway death. The plot follows Rant's move from a small town to the big city, where he becomes the leader of an urban demolition derby known as Party Crashing. Back in 2008, Chuck Palahniuk revealed on his official website that Rant was optioned by an unspecified filmmaker, but we never heard anything more about the project since then. It seems likely that the option expired, causing the rights to revert back to the author.

Are you excited to see what James Franco can do with Chuck Palahniuk's source material? Chime in with your thoughts below. James Franco's latest directorial effort, Child of God, hit theaters last month.