Variety has just released a piece on Tom Cruise’s next couple of gigs, noting the many writers he was bringing aboard each film. The biggest news from the piece seems to be the grudge Variety has against Cruise, as this sort of information is usually kept under the rug; most blockbusters take on additional writers in the scripting stage, some at the producer’s request, but most at the behest of a A-list star looking for a project that better suits their persona.
You don’t even wanna know the size of the team Will Smith brings onto his various projects. Among the films mentioned in the Variety article, some of which will fall by the wayside or get re-written further to suit someone with less pull:
– “The Matarese Circle“- The most high profile option, and the one we’d most like to see get made. The original script, adapted from a Robert Ludlum novel, was penned by Derek Haas and Michael Brandt (“Wanted”), but once Cruise and Denzel Washington got attached, the script went out to directors and ended up in the lap of David Cronenberg. Not being too familiar with the big budget action world, Cronenberg got started on a re-write, but it appears that was not up to snuff for Cruise’s liking, as Paul Attanasio (“Quiz Show”) is now aboard. It’s likely the original premise is being reworked extensively, as the original hook involved two enemy agents, one CIA and the other KGB, teaming up to foil an international ring of killers- doubtful Cruise is gonna be a KGB agent after “Valkyrie.”
– “Motorcade“- This thriller, dealing with the President’s motorcade under attack during a trip to Los Angeles, was originally under the pen of Hans Bauer and Craig Mitchell (“Highwaymen”) but the Len “Underworld” Wiseman-directed picture is currently being re-written by longtime script doctor Billy Ray. Ray’s made a couple of accomplished films with “Shattered Glass” and “Breach” but he has made his name re-writing and ghostwriting several big Hollywood projects like “Flightplan” and “State of Play.”
– “The Tourist“- Cruise has been circling this project for awhile now, with Charlize Theron attached and Bharat Nalluri (“Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day”) directing. Based on a French film, “Anthony Zimmer,” the original plot involved a criminal’s mistress employing a lowly traveler to take down her lover, but now Theron is believed to be a government operative, with Cruise playing an average globetrotting American. The original script is from Oscar winner Julian Fellowes (“Gosford Park”) but is now being re-written by one of the film’s producers, Christopher McQuarrie (“The Usual Suspects”).
– “Witchita“- “Sex And The City” meets “Mission: Impossible”? In this Cameron Diaz star vehicle, she plays a woman unlucky in love (is there any other kind?) who develops an interest in her chaotic, dangerous, mysterious Tom Crusian blind date. James Mangold (“Walk The Line”) is directing from a script originally titled “Witchita And Trouble Man” from screenwriter Patrick O’Neill before being re-written by Diaz’ own script doctors, Frank and Dana Fox (“What Happens In Vegas”). It’s now in the Cruise-approved hands of Scott Frank (“Out of Sight”). Chris Tucker and Eva Mendes were among the stars previously considering this, until Tucker realized he only does “Rush Hour” movies no one wants to see.
Variety notes that Cruise has already left two projects by the wayside in “The 28th Amendment,” from Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (“Transformers”) and Susanna Bier’s “Lost For Words,” which Richard Curtis (“Love Actually”) took over from Jamie Curtis (“Spice World”) and Dan Mazer (“Borat”). They don’t mention the many writers Cruise also brought on to “Edwin A. Salt” before abandoning it, but that may be old news as that project is currently filming with Angelina Jolie in the lead. Don’t weep for these scribes, however- as part of the special Cruise deal, each scribe received heavy pay raises, some earning $250,000 for a couple of weeks of work. Kudos to Mr. Cruise for not yet involving Akiva Goldsman.
