Nicolas Cage to play a villain in 'The Green Hornet'

Apparently, that is the latest rumor floating around Hollywood.

Variety reports that Columbia Pictures has talked with Cage about playing the gangster villain in "The Green Hornet" movie.

Cameron Diaz is also said to be negotiating to play a reporter and love interest in director Michel Gondry's movie which stars Seth Rogen, who wrote the script with Evan Goldberg.

According to Variety, "the production is moving full steam ahead for a fall start date, even as the studio looks to replace Stephen Chow, who was going to play sidekick Kato."

Neal Moritz is producing the movie through Original Films.

"The Green Hornet" is scheduled to hit theaters in July 2010.

Cage just finished "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" and a remake of "The Bad Lieutenant."