Yesterday we told you here that Brett Ratner might end up directing Nu Image’s new Conan movie. It’s been 24 hours and this is the internet, which means you can toss that rumor right out the window. It hasn’t been entirely debunked, but the guys over at LR now claim he’s just one of the many names being considered for the job. You have to wonder... if they knew that, why’d they wait till now to say something? Quit holding out on us fellas!

Their sources tell them that a whole host of high-profile directors are being considered for the job. Nu Image is meeting with everyone, including Neil Marshall, James McTeigue, The Strausse Brothers, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, and Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. They’re also meeting with Robert Rodriguez, the first name in any of this that’s actually exciting. In fact, word is that it’s Rodriguez whom they actually want, if they can find a way to fit it into his busy schedule.

If you saw Robert’s Red Sonja panel at Comic Con this year, then you know that directing a Conan movie would be a dream come true for him. Over the 60 minutes or so we spent with him there, he waxed poetic about his special relationship not just with the world of Conan the Barbarian, but with its creator. Heck, the guy actually lives in Conan’s homeland of Sumeria. No really! He built his house quite literally on the place which was creator Robert E. Howard’s inspiration for Conan’s fictional world. Heck, he’s already co-directing a movie based on Conan’s world in Red Sonja. Why not give him both projects and let magic happen?

Robert Rodriguez is without a doubt Conan’s number one fan. If LR’s story is right and it’s only scheduling that’s keeping him from the job, then rest assured he’ll take it, if he has to move heaven and earth to get it.