There’s a lot to love about Danny Boyle but the thing that keeps me coming back is the simple fact that Boyle is a chameleon, constantly trying his hand at new stories, often in different genres.

The Boyle camp has been relatively quiet since the release of last year’s feel good hit Slumdog Millionaire but that all changed earlier today when Variety ran news of a new project from Boyle and once again, it surprises. This time around, Boyle will be directing 127 Hours which will tell the story of mountaineer Aron Ralston. So who is this Ralston and what has he done to garner an entire film? Ralston was 27 and hiking in the Utah wilderness when an accident left him trapped with one arm pinned under a 1,000 pound boulder. After five days of immobility, he made the ultimate sacrifice and tying a tourniquet on his arm, he started to slice away just above his elbow with a dull knife. Ralston eventually cut through and escaped into the wilderness where he was found by a family and eventually rescued by helicopter.

It sounds like a great story but I’m not sure how this is going to work as a film. A guy trapped under a boulder for 5 days? He can’t move so there’s no exploration of nature, there’s no one to talk to so what’s left? You can only show a guy slowly cutting his arm off for a short period of time before the audience gets bored so what’s left? Ralston talking to himself? Some wicked pain induced trips? I’m not sure but I’m curious to find out.

127 Hours will start shooting next year for a release in late 2010.

So who’s going to jump at the opportunity to work with Boyle? The role of Ralston is a good one for a young actor with acting chops or a new comer looking to break into the business. The Variety Blog points to rumours that Ryan Gosling may be in the running for the role and he’d certainly be a good choice. Anyone else care to through a name into the hat?