Fox gears up for 'Hitman 2'

Xavier Gens' 2007 big-screen adaptation of "Hitman" pretty much sucked, but the film picked up around $100 million on a $24 million budget, and that's reason enough for Fox to go after a sequel.

Indeed, the studio is prepping "Hitman 2," with Kyle Ward set to write the script. Ward's credits include the upcoming “Kane & Lynch,” also based on a video game.

Variety reports the follow-up will borrow story elements from the upcoming "Hitman 5" game, due in stores next year. The story line of the film will follow Agent 47 as he tries to reclaim his title of feared assassin.

Timothy Olyphant ("The Crazies") starred as the lead character in the first film. No word on whether he is considering to reprise the role.