movies Tom Cruise Drops Out of 'Man from U.N.C.L.E'

[Rappy Veteran]

In a rather unexpected development, director Guy Ritchie?s adaptation of the popular TV series The Man from U.N.C.L.E. has lost its leading man. Tom Cruise was originally set to star in the Warner Bros. spy pic, which is being planned as a potential franchise-starter, but with a fall production start-date looming Cruise has now vacated the starring role in order to focus his efforts on getting Mission: Impossible 5 off the ground. The film had recently started filling out its cast with Armie Hammer signing on to co-star and Alicia Vikander (Anna Karenina) entering talks to play the film?s female lead, but Ritchie must now start searching to fill his leading role.

Warner Bros.? adaptation of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. has had a rather troubled development process. Steven Soderbergh was initially planning to direct with George Clooney being eyed for the lead role, but Clooney opted not to sign on for fear of exacerbating his back problems with the film?s action-heavy demands. Actors like Bradley Cooper and Channing Tatum were subsequently eyed to topline the pic, but Soderbergh eventually left the project altogether when Warner Bros. refused to provide him with the budget necessary to fulfill his vision.

Ritchie signed on to produce and direct The Man from U.N.C.L.E. in December of 2011, and the project was finally on track to start production this year before Cruise?s abrupt exit. Deadline reports that Cruise decided to leave U.N.C.L.E. in order to focus his efforts on producing and starring in Mission: Impossible 5, which he wants to get in front of cameras before the end of the year. The M:I franchise is Cruise?s baby and he has always been heavily involved in the development, planning, and production of each film. As such, it would be, well, implausible for him to prep for and shoot The Man from U.N.C.L.E. later this fall while also remaining hands-on in all things Mission: Impossible 5 before that film goes in front of cameras.

http://collider.com/tom-cruise-man-from-uncle-mission-impossible-5/

[DocM]

http://thewrap.com/thewrap/pm_105952/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=TPhp3cPY#

Could 'Man of Steel' Star Henry Cavill Be WB's 'Man From U.N.C.L.E.'?

WB's "Man of Steel" star Henry Cavill is now in talks to be the studio's "Man From U.N.C.L.E.," TheWrap has learned.

Cavill is making a deal to play Napoleon Solo in Guy Ritchie's feature adaptation of the classic 1960s TV series.

Cruise left the project last week in order to focus his attention on producing "Mission: Impossible 5" for Paramount and Skydance.

With "Man of Steel" buzz swirling in Burbank, WB execs are confident that Cavill has what it takes to launch a franchise that lacks the built-in audience of Superman fans. The British star of "The Tudors" previously powered Relativity's "Immortals" to a worldwide gross of $226 million.

Ritchie had been expecting to start production in the fall with Armie Hammer co-starring as Illya Kuryakin, Solo's fellow agent in the United Network Command for Law Enforcement. Robert Vaughan and David McCallum originated the roles on the 60s spy series.

Ritchie is producing with Lionel Wigram and John Davis.

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[Rappy Veteran]

^^

a good replacement though not as small :p

[DocM]

Cavill is a tad over 6' 1" and Hammer is 6' 5", so neither is anywhere near as short as Cruise ot the original Han & Illya. Those dudes are big in height and bulk.

[Steven P. Administrators]

Good.

[V-Tech]

For years now i'm trying to decide if i like Tom Cruise as an actor or not. Didnt decide yet. In some movies he is good and in some he's not. I donno :/

[Rappy Veteran]

Good.

[_neutrino Veteran]

I think the replacement might actually be better than the original, then again i have never been a fan of Tom Cruise.

[Growled Member]

I can't stand Cruise myself. This might actually turn into a decent project now.

[yakumo]

Sounds good to me!