**Updated!**

Variety reports that Liam Neeson is in talks to join the cast as Hannibal, the role originated by George Peppard. Supposedly, Neeson and Fox are “working out money issues,” so this ain’t exactly a done deal yet, folks. Still, Neeson, who was last seen in the box office surprise smash Taken and is currently filming Louis Leterrier’s Clash of the Titans remake, is a great actor and one I would love to see join the project.

[original post follows]

Shortly following the IESB’s report that had apparently “accidentally-confirmed” Bradley Cooper as Faceman in Joe Carnahan’s upcoming adaptation of The A-Team, Cooper came on record to clarify that nothing was confirmed, he hadn’t met with Carnahan or anyone for the role, and that he simply would like to be considered.

Well, one day after The Hangover’s massively successful opening weekend, Cooper is getting perhaps a bit more than just a little consideration. THR reports that Cooper is “officially in talks” to join the cast as Lt. Templeton “Faceman” Peck, the handsome, suave, smooth-talking con man of the group who was played by Dirk Benedict in the original series. There hasn’t been official word on who’ll play team leader Hannibal, H.M. Murdock, or B.A. Baracus yet, though rumors continue to swirl. Cooper is the first actor officially tied to the project.

The A-Team already has a release date set for June 11, 2010 despite practically zero casting announcements. The show followed a group of ex-Army Special Forces members who are on the run after being framed for a crime during the Vietnam War. Setting up shop in Los Angeles, the group become soldiers of fortune, hunting down oppression and injustice with their particular set of skills. The film adaptation would supposedly update things to the Iraq War in modern times, but few plot details are known from the script by Wanted and 3:10 to Yuma writers Derek Haas and Michael Brandt.

Cooper’s star continues to rise, and the man certainly has earned it. He’s been pigeon-holed for much of his career as either the Nice Guy following his role on TV show Alias or as the Asshole following his role as Sack in Wedding Crashers. Despite almost being type-casted into obscurity, the actor has somehow ended up now as the next big leading man, and I’m happy for him. Nice guy, that Bradley Cooper – but watch out, he can be a bit of an asshole, too.

Tags: Bradley Cooper, Derek Haas, Joe Carnahan, Liam Neeson, Michael Brandt, The A-Team