James Marsden to replace Paul Walker in 'The Best of Me'? [CASTING RUMORS]

Paul Walker's untimely death came at a very busy period of his acting career. He had just released a new movie, Hours, and has another, Brick Mansions, coming out later this year. We also know that he was in the middle of filming Fast and Furious 7, which has since been rewritten to "retire" his character. But considering he was one of Hollywood's biggest stars, Walker had his name attached numerous projects in pre-production phases. One of those projects is a film called The Best of Me, and it looks like Walker's part might end up going to notable actor James Marsden.

Deadline reports:

Relativity and director Michael Hoffman have offered James Marsden the male lead role in The Best Of Me, an adaptation of the Nicholas Sparks bestseller that Paul Walker planned to star in. Marsden's deal needs to be negotiated, but the offer was just made for him to star alongside Michelle Monaghan. Relativity had been quietly looking to recast since the tragedy that took Walker's life late last year. This had boiled down to a short of Marsden and Magic Mike's Joe Manganiello.

The Best of Me is a romance story that follows two former high school sweethearts who come in contact with each other after twenty years apart. They are both back in town for a mutual friend's funeral and they soon realize that the passion between them is still present after so many years. But considering they broke up before, these same reasons come back into play.

This new film has Michelle Monaghan attached to play the female lead opposite Marsden if he signs on officially. Michael Hoffman is directing the movie.