Renowned Hollywood icon Jack Nicholson might be stepping back into the spotlight, as hinted by James L. Brooks, who continues to maintain close ties with the actor.

The 85-year-old director, who has worked with the elusive 88-year-old star on four films, including the classics “Broadcast News” (1987) and “As Good As It Gets” (1997), shared this possibility.

“I’m confident he’ll return to acting,” Brooks revealed to E! News on Tuesday.

“I hope it’s in one of my projects,” he added.

Their creative partnership originated with the acclaimed drama “Terms of Endearment,” a film that earned both of them Oscars in 1984. Brooks is also known for his role as co-creator of “The Simpsons.”

Brooks also directed the LA Lakers super-fan in his final screen role as corporate CEO Charles Madison in the dismally-reviewed 2010 rom-com How Do You Know, which only earned $48.7 million back from its $120 million budget.

Hollywood legend Jack Nicholson could soon come out of acting retirement according to James L. Brooks, who remains ‘very much in contact’ with him (pictured in 1998)

But Nicholson has acted in some of the greatest films of all time including Five Easy Pieces, Chinatown, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Shining, Batman, A Few Good Men and About Schmidt.

The avid art collector – who’s a California Air National Guard veteran – has certainly been decorated for his acting career – having won three Oscars, six Golden Globe Awards and even a Grammy Award.

Nicholson’s producer pal Lou Adler is less optimistic, telling WTF with Marc Maron in 2023: ‘A friend of mine wanted to put him in a movie. And he had a conversation with him. 

‘But Jack says, ‘I don’t want to do it.’ He goes, ‘You know what I did today? I sat under a tree and I read a book.”

One week ago, the New Jersey native’s 35-year-old daughter Lorraine Nicholson shared a rare Instagram snap of him alongside his 33-year-old son Ray Nicholson.

But Nicholson hasn’t been seen in public since attending NBC’s SNL50: The Anniversary Special in Manhattan on February 16 with Lorraine.

The former lothario welcomed both children during his five-year relationship with his Man Trouble co-star Rebecca Broussard, which ended in 1994.

The 85-year-old filmmaker previously directed the reclusive 88-year-old in four movies including Broadcast News and As Good As It Gets (pictured on set in 1997)

‘I’m sure he’ll be working again,’ Brooks told E! News on Tuesday. ‘I hope it’s with me’ (pictured in 2003)

The Simpsons co-creator and Nicholson began their artistic collaboration with the iconic mother-daughter drama Terms of Endearment, for which they both won Academy Awards in 1984

Brooks also directed the LA Lakers super-fan in his final screen role as corporate CEO Charles Madison in the dismally-reviewed 2010 rom-com How Do You Know, which only earned $48.7 million back from its $120 million budget 

But Nicholson has acted in some of the greatest films of all time including Five Easy Pieces, Chinatown, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Shining, Batman (pictured in 1989), A Few Good Men and About Schmidt 

The avid art collector’s producer pal Lou Adler (L, pictured in 2023) is less optimistic, telling WTF with Marc Maron in 2023: ‘A friend of mine wanted to put him in a movie. And he had a conversation with him. But Jack says, ‘I don’t want to do it.’ He goes, ‘You know what I did today? I sat under a tree and I read a book”

One week ago, Nicholson’s 35-year-old daughter Lorraine Nicholson (M) shared a rare Instagram snap of him alongside his 33-year-old son Ray Nicholson (R)

But the former lothario hasn’t been seen in public since attending NBC’s SNL50: The Anniversary Special in Manhattan on February 16 with Lorraine (L) 

Broussard’s first pregnancy was the catalyst to end of Nicholson’s longest romantic relationship, with Oscar winner Anjelica Huston, from 1973-1990.

He reportedly recognized 55-year-old Caleb Goddard as his son in private following an on-set fling with his Five Easy Pieces co-star Susan Anspach, who raised him with ex-husband Mark Goddard.

Nicholson is estranged from his 31-year-old daughter Tessa Gourin with waitress Jennine Gourin as he has never publicly acknowledged the paternity.

He fathered 44-year-old daughter Honey Hollman with Danish model Winnie Hollman.

Nicholson welcomed his eldest child – 62-year-old daughter Jennifer Nicholson – during his six-year marriage to his Terror co-star Sandra Knight, which ended in 1968.