Tyler Perry has signed on for his next role: portraying the detective-psychologist Alex Cross from James Patterson's most recent novel I, Alex Cross.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the character was previously portrayed by Morgan Freeman in two studio movies, including Along Came A Spider.

Rob Cohen is on board to direct the new take, which has no distribution.

James Patterson and Kerry Williamson wrote a draft of the script, which will be polished by Marc Moss.

No production date has been set.