Alex Pettyfer in Talks for I Am Number Four

Alex Pettyfer, who was recently honored as ShoWest Male Star of Tomorrow is in negotiations to play the lead role in Dreamworks Studios I Am Number Four, based on the upcoming teen novel by James Frey and Jobie Hughes, according to Variety.

Alex Pettyfer is best known as the title character in Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker and will be seen this summer starring opposite Vanessa Hudgeons in Beastly, a modern take on Beauty and the Beast, which is set to hit theaters July 30th.

I Am Number Four’s story revolves around nine aliens who escape the destruction of their home world and hide here on earth.  Pettyfer’s character takes on the guise of a high school student who discovers the evil aliens responsible for the destruction of his planet are now hunting him and the other survivors here on Earth.

DJ Caruso (Eagle eye, Disturbia) is set to direct from a script by Smallville creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar.  Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg are teaming up to produce.