Reported by Variety.com, Paramount Pictures is in negotiations with Sam Raimi to lead a franchise revival of Jack Ryan, the Tom Clancy-created CIA analyst character who drove four hit movies for the studio.

Raimi would develop and direct a series of films.

The plan is to feature Ryan at a younger, more formative point in his career than previously depicted. One invention the studio is considering is to set the film in the present, with the action triggered by a global threat. Raimi will start shooting after he completes the Universal horror film “Drag Me to Hell.” Paramount wants the Ryan movie ready for release in summer 2010.