Tom Cruise in talks for role of Jack Reacher in Christopher McQuarrie's ONE SHOT

Tom Cruise is in talks to play Jack Reacher in Christopher McQuarrie's upcoming adaptation of One Shot. Deadline reports that Cruise is currently in negotiations to star in the film for Paramount Pictures and Skydance Productions this fall. McQuarrie wrote the script based on the Lee Child book series about "former military policeman-turned-drifter Jack Reacher."

The plan is for him to film One Shot prior to the Joseph Kosinski-directed Oblivion at Universal, in January. Deals with Cruise can be difficult because of his high demand. He will likely end up shooting this after he wraps Oblivion. What helps this deal is that David Ellison also co-financedMission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol.

Childs has written over 15 bestselling novels that have sold 40 million copies. Reacher has been described as being "6'5," about 250 pounds, and when you are on the business end of his clenched fists, you are most likely going to be spitting out teeth and getting fitted for a cast or two." If Cruise is cast, it may offend fans becuse Reacher is different physically. They optioned the book five years ago, when he and Paula Wagner were partners at C/W. Despite fans feelings, Child is excited about Cruise's possible involvement because he believes Cruise personifies the qualities that Reacher displays in the books. Here is what the author had to say, "Reacher's size in the books is a metaphor for an unstoppable force, which Cruise portrays in his own way."

Here is a description of the character and the book:

Child's prose is very spare and blunt and Reacher is a no-frills guy. He drifts around the country, carrying nothing more than a toothbrush, the clothes on his back, his passport and access to his military pension. He finds his way into all kinds of misadventures but usually winds up using his brawn and his brains from years of military experience to solve conspiracies for underdogs. In One Shot, Reacher investigates a case in which a lone sniper murders five victims before being captured. Reacher discovers it's more than a simple open-and-shut case.

Cruise has worked with McQuarrie on Valkyriedid script work onMission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol, and an early draft of the script for The Touristwhen Cruise was attached to star. The film is set to shoot in Pittsburgh, despite the novel being set in the Midwest. The film will be prouced by Don Granger and Cruise through Mutual Film Company and C/W Productions. Skydance's Ellison and Dana Goldberg are producing as is Gary Levinsohn and Wagner. Josh Olson wrote an earlier draft before McQuarrie came aboard. McQuarrie's manager, Ken Kamins (McQuarrie's manager) of Key Creatives, is serving as executive producer.