Edge of Tomorrow (or Live. Die. Repeat., or All You Need is Kill) duo Tom Cruise and director Doug Liman may be set to reunite for a new project: a 1980s drug thriller known as Mena.
News comes by way of Deadline, who shed some light on the Gary Spinelli-scripted project, which was initially picked up by Universal Pictures late last year for a reported $1 million. Fast forward to today and this tidbit is the first sign that the wheels are slowly beginning to ache into motion, and given how well-received Edge of Tomorrow proved to be — despite struggling to light up the box office as many had assumed — the studio will be hoping that the creative pair of Cruise and Liman can channel a similar chemistry for Mena.
Orbiting around a drug trafficker in the ’80s known as Barry Seal (Cruise, potentially), the film follows his story as he ventures onto both sides of the fence, working for both the Medellin cartel and the CIA. Based on a true story, the movie will largely take place in the titular Arkansas city.
Brian Grazer is on board to produce along with Cross Creek’s Brian Oliver and Tyler Thompson — who are also helping to finance the project. Currently, details are still scarce on the ground about Cruise’s next outing, though it’s worth keeping in mind that the actor still has to wrap up work on Christopher McQuarrie’s Mission: Impossible 5 first and foremost.
Previous to yesterday’s announcement, Rush helmer Ron Howard was attached to the project, though the director soon left to work on the upcoming maritime drama, In The Heart of the Sea.
We’ll notify you as soon as we learn more about Tom Cruise and Doug Liman’s potential reunion for Mena.