Christian Bale stars as John Connor in 'Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins'

Bryce Dallas Howard is reportedly in negotiations to replace Charlotte Gainsbourg in the female lead in "Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gainsbourg has exited the McG-directed franchise pick due to scheduling conflicts with a French comedy.

If Howard signs on, she would play Kate Connor, wife of Christian Bale's John Connor, leader of the human resistance against the genocide-loving robots.

Production on "Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins" is already under way in New Mexico. Gainsbourg's schedule is currently clear, but the project is shooting with the very real possibility of a mid-shoot hiatus for a potential actors strike. Should the "Terminator" project need to pause and restart, Gainsbourg's availability would then be in question, the trade explains.

Howard taking over for Gainsbourg would require a little not-so-unusual reconceptualization of the "Terminator" mythology. In "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines," Nick Stahl's John Connor and Claire Danes' Kate Brewster were peers. In fact, Danes replaced Sophia Bush early in production when director Jonathan Mostow expressed concerns that Bush seemed too young.

Gainsbourg is 36, while Howard is nearly a decade younger. Bale is 34.

Howard was most recently seen in "Spider-Man 3." Her other credits include HBO's "As You Like It" and "Lady in the Water" and "The Village" for M. Night Shyamalan.