Vin Diesel in talks to play Valiant superhero Bloodshot

Vin Diesel is gearing up to play another superhero, and this one is decidedly less tree-like. After two rounds voicing Groot in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy films, EW has learned that the Fast & Furious star is in talks to star as the violent superhero Bloodshot in Sony’s film adaptation of the Valiant comic book series. The Wrap was first to report the news.

Originally created in 1992 by Kevin Van Hook, Don Perlin, and Bob Layton, Bloodshot is a former soldier named Ray Garrison who gained superpowers after being injected with experimental nanites by the mysterious Project Rising Spirit. In addition to giving him white skin and red eyes, these nanites allow Bloodshot to regenerate from any wound and exponentially increase his fighting skills. This makes Bloodshot an ideal assassin, especially for forces interested in rounding up the superpowered “harbingers” that populate the Valiant universe.

Bloodshot is planned to be part of a five-film universe from Sony and Valiant. Sony is also reportedly pursuing an R-rating for the film, which would allow Bloodshot to show off his killing abilities, and make it grittier superhero fare in the vein of Logan or Deadpool. The film is even being directed by Dave Wilson, Deadpool director Tim Miller’s partner at Blur Studios, while Oscar-nominated Arrival screenwriter Eric Heisserer is writing the screenplay. Funny enough, Jeff Lemire’s recent series Bloodshot: Salvation has even featured the title character alongside a young daughter who shares his abilities, much like Logan itself.

Bloodshot is being eyed for a 2019 release.