Last month James Franco dropped out of The Iceman, the biopic based on the life of professional hitman Richard “The Iceman” Kuklinski, citing contractual disagreements. While the project was thrown into jeopardy, producers have locked in a solid replacement and things seem to be back on track. Deadline reports that Chris Evans has made a deal to take over Franco’s role as Kuklinski’s mentor. Michael Shannon is onboard to play Kuklinski, with Benicio Del Toro set as mob box Roy Demeo. While Franco was an interesting choice, I quite like the casting of Evans. It’s clear he doesn’t plan on being pigeon-holed into the “leading man” roles following the success of Captain America.Kuklinski worked as a contract killer for the mob earned the nickname “The Iceman” by freezing the bodies of his victims in order to disguise the time of death and throw the authorities off track. Ariel Vromen (Danika) is directing the pic, which is based on the book The Iceman: The True Story of a Cold-Blooded Killer. Hit the jump for a synopsis.Here’s the synopsis for The Iceman: The True Story of a Cold-Blooded Killer:

Richard Kuklinsky, son of a brutal, alcoholic father who came home only infrequently and a mother who vented her resentment on her children, grew up to be an efficient mass murderer. By the time of his trial in 1988 at age 53 he had killed upwards of 100 men by shooting, stabbing, choking or poisoning them. Kuklinsky, a New Jersey family man with two daughters and a son, was finally brought to justice through the efforts of Special Agent Dominick Polifrone of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, working with the New Jersey Attorney General's Office and the New Jersey State Police. The "Ice Man" will not be eligible for parole until he is 111 years old. Bruno ( Bad Blood ) has done an excellent job of re-creating the tension and stress Polifrone experienced in fulfilling his risky undercover assignment. [Amazon]