NORTH COUNTRY star Sean Bean is to recreate one of cinema's creepiest roles after reportedly signing on to play hitchhiker JOHN RYDER in a remake of thriller THE HITCHER. Bean will take over the villainous role played by Rutger Hauer in the 1986 cult classic. THE PRINCE + ME star Zachary Knighton and One Tree Hill favourite Sophia Bush are in negotiations to play the US travellers trying to escape from Bean's Ryder. C Thomas Howell and Jennifer Jason Leigh were the original tormented teens. Video director Dave Meyers will take charge of the project, according to moviehole.net.