Tom Cruise in Talks for The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Movie

Posted by on March 19th, 2013   Filed under: Drama, Remakes, Thriller, TV
Source: Deadline

tomcruiseuncle

I have to admit, I’ve been a lot less interested in the big screen remake of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. TV series ever since it was announced that Steven Soderbergh would not be directing and George Clooney would not be starring. Before Soderbergh dropped out, he was also pushing for Channing Tatum in the lead role, but for whatever reason that never came through and ultimately Soderbergh walked away from the project, leaving Guy Ritchie to take his place. That was over a year ago, but now we’ve finally got an update on the movie and it looks like Warner Brothers is close to landing a much bigger star for the film. Like it or not, Tom Cruise is apparently looking to turn The Man from U.N.C.L.E. into his next blockbuster franchise.

According to Deadline, Tom Cruise is in early talks to star in Guy Ritchie’s The Man from U.N.C.L.E. where he will play Napoleon Solo (assuming they haven’t changed the character’s name, that is). The role was played by Robert Vaughan in the original series with David McCallum playing Russian agent Illya Kuryakin. Joel Edgerton was once rumoured to be in line to play Kuryakin although it seems unlikely that he is still attached.

I can understand why Cruise would be interested and why Warner Brothers would want him for this role, unfortunately they also run the risk of turning this property into a rehash of the Mission: Impossible franchise. The one thing that could get me back on board is if they decide to make it a period piece set in the ’60s (which they obviously didn’t do with M:I). What do you think, is Tom Cruise the right guy to play Napoleon Solo? Does this make you more or less interested in The Man from U.N.C.L.E.?

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  • Bas

    I think UNCLE is not as well known internationally as MI, so maybe continuing his MI-run would be smarter. Doing both sounds like a hard sell.

    The pairing of an American and a Soviet agent must have been pretty ballsy at the time when that was relevant. If they don’t want to make it a period piece then maybe they should replace Illya. Either with an Iranian or North Korean agent, to fight a common enemy… aliens!

  • Spooksta

    Id go see that Bas!

  • Jason_Miami

    They should get Brad Pitt. He can do action and he’s a more believable ass-kicker than Cruise. He probably also has more pull than Cruise to get movie-goers in the seats, at this point, and I’d love to see him re-team with Guy. Leave Cruise to his MI series and get some new blood in there.

  • Martin_Ontario

    I think cruise is far more believable. For us baby boomer we remember Robert Vaughn the dark haired slim lead in the T.V. series. As did Vaughn, Cruise looks great in a a tuxedo. Man from UNCLE may also require less action and more slick, cerebral action which an aging Cruise may be ready for after MI. Cruise has also become an action hero draw. We’ve learned to expect it from him. He has a following in this genre. He’s a perfect fit.

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