There are many things about Quentin Tarantino that set him apart from other filmmakers; but somewhere on that list, depending on your priorities, is QT’s ability to re-route actors’ careers via crafty casting choices. Travolta, Robert Forster and, to an extent, Kurt Russell have been rejuvenated by the dude. Now it might be Tom Cruise’s turn.
According to Deadline, the stumbling former megastar is in talks to join Tarantino’s Charles Manson Movie That Is Not Really A Charles Manson Movie. He hasn’t agreed to anything, not even close, and the entire world surrounding the director’s ninth feature film are buzzing.
He is being wined and dined by studios all over Hollywood, studios eager to fill the void left by the Weinstein tragedy. Here’s how Deadline couched the news:
Tarantino has spoken with [Cruise] to play one of two lead male roles. He joins Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio in that small circle, but it is entirely unclear if all three will be in the movie, or two of them, or any of them, because much of that comes down to making a deal and scheduling.
Yes, very early in the proceedings, but exciting for any fans of Tom Cruise who remember what he used to be; back when he was balancing interesting blockbusters and prestige dramas with great filmmakers (or combing the two with De Palma and Mission: Impossible). These days, he reads like a disinterested passenger in his own career. Even American Made, where he showed a legitimate heartbeat, was too slight to resurrect Captain Scientology.
It would be cool to see what Quentin Tarantino would do with Tom Cruise, or to see how Cruise might handle Tarantino’s prose. That’s most definitely outside his comfort zone… so, he should probably jump at the opportunity.
Stay tuned for updates!
