Tom Cruise could be interested in playing his Tropic Thunder character Les Grossman again in a sequel or spin-off project, according to reports.
The satirical comedy, which was released in 2008, starred Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr, and followed a group of actors attempting to make a film portraying a Vietnam War veteran’s memoir.
But when they end up abandoned in a jungle, the incompetent group realise that they’re in very real danger.
The film was a box office hit, making a reported $195.7 million from its budget of $92 million. It also went down well with critics, scoring 82 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes
It stoked some controversy upon its release though, over its portrayal of disabled people, use of ableist slurs, and Downey Jr appearing in blackface for the film.
But despite the controversial nature of the film, this hasn’t stopped Tom Cruise being linked with a potential sequel or a spin-off.
Cruise played the role of Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder, and he is apparently keen to bring reprise his role.
Earlier this year, Far Out Magazine reported that Tom Cruise is in talks with filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie (who he worked with on Top Gun: Maverick and Mission: Impossible – Fallout) to bring Grossman back in some form, potentially in a new movie or a spin-off series.
This isn’t the first time Cruise has been linked with another Tropic Thunder project.
In 2020, Cruise reprised his role as Grossman at the MTV Movie Awards, when he delivered the character’s signature expletive-fueled commands and even danced with Jennifer Lopez, Entertainment Weekly reports.
This prompted Ben Stiller to release a tongue-in-cheek statement saying that a film about Grossman’s life story was in the works.
It read: “Les Grossman’s life story is an inspiring tale of the human class struggle to achieve greatness against all odds. He has assured me he plans to ‘F**king kill the sh*t out of this movie and make Citizen f**king Kane look like a piece of crap home movie by the time we are done.’ I am honoured to be working with him.”
Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like Downey Jr. is as keen on a sequel though.
Appearing at the red carpet premiere for the upcoming TV series, Downey’s Dream Cars, he was asked how he felt about Cruise reportedly wanting another Tropic Thunder project to happen.
He responded: “Does he want to do that?! Tom, don’t take it!”
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