Guy Ritchie To Direct 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Starring Tom Cruise

[Shilliam Watner]

What is it with Tom Cruise starring in all these remakes of spy shows from the 60's? I just can't see him as Napoleon Solo. Never the less, I hope Guy Ritchie does a good job.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2013/mar/19/tom-cruise-man-from-uncle

 

[marksound]

Re: Guy Ritchie To Direct 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Starring Tom Cruis

Vaughn and McCallum are still alive and kicking. How about an updated version of the original called Man From G.R.A.M.P.S. ?

 

[cardinal biggles]

Re: Guy Ritchie To Direct 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Starring Tom Cruis

If Guy Ritchie is taking this on, what does that mean for a third Sherlock Holmes film?

 

[Christopher]

Re: Guy Ritchie To Direct 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Starring Tom Cruis

The thread title is jumping the gun. Cruise is simply in talks about the possibility of starring in the remake. It's not definite yet.

I've just begun watching The Man from U.N.C.L.E. via Netflix, and I think Cruise would be an inappropriate choice for Solo. He's good at what he does -- whatever personal idiosyncrasies he has, he's a solid, professional actor -- but he's not a good fit to this character and franchise. The series had a light, humorous tone (increasingly campy as it went on), and Robert Vaughn's Napoleon Solo was a playful, theatrical, almost impish sort who treated the spy business as a game. Cruise might be better at playing Illya Kuryakin, who was a more serious, distant, enigmatic sort -- although Illya was also a younger man and a major sex symbol, dubbed "the blond Beatle" by the media due to his popularity with young female viewers.

 

[Admiral_Young]

Re: Guy Ritchie To Direct 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Starring Tom Cruis

The last bit of news regarding "Sherlock Holmes 3" was that Drew Pearce was going to go back to the script after he had finished co-writing "Iron Man 3" with Shane Black. Aside from that I've read no further updates on the film. I'm guessing this news...if finalized...will mean they will either get another director...or the film will be put on hold until Ritchie has finished with this.

 

[Captaindemotion]

Re: Guy Ritchie To Direct 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Starring Tom Cruis

I don't see Tom as Solo either but then again, there's no reason why they'd have to keep the character the same as played by Robert Vaughn. Indeed, they may pull a MI and change the names of the main characters (or kill Solo off!).

It seems an odd choice for Cruise, given that he already has his spy franchise based on a 60s tv show. Of course, this is likely to be lighter-hearted than MI (but might that remind people of Knight and Day, where he also played a tongue-in-cheek spy?) and they could further distinguish it by setting it in the 1960s. Then again, IIRC, Soderbergh walked away from the remake because the studio wasn't willing to spend the extra money that was needed to make it a period piece. Having said that, if you land Tom Cruise as your leading man, it probably allows you to put more money into the movie.

I think Jon Hamm would be a perfect Solo but he's not yet a proven blockbuster leading man. And no doubt he doesn't want to be typecast as 'the 1960s guy'!

 

[Christopher]

Re: Guy Ritchie To Direct 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Starring Tom Cruis

My thoughts were leaning more toward Hugh Jackman, not in Wolverine mode but in more of his musical-theater mode. As I said, I see something very theatrical and impish in Vaughn's Solo. Nathan Fillion might've also been a good choice in the past, but he's put on some weight in the past few years.

 

[Captaindemotion]

Re: Guy Ritchie To Direct 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Starring Tom Cruis

Interesting choices. Who do you see for Kuryakin? I'm having difficulties thinking of someone, in particular someone to work alongside Cruise. I had been thinking of Hamm and Alexander Skaarsgard but it's hard to see wee Tom agreeing to stand alongside big tall Alex!

 

[Christopher]

Re: Guy Ritchie To Direct 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Starring Tom Cruis

Aw, heck, in the spirit of modernizing, make Illya a woman. But someone who can capture the character's stoic reserve and enigma. I can't think of anyone offhand, though.

Alexander Waverly should be Sir Ian McKellen. Or possibly Morgan Freeman.

 

[Starkers]

Re: Guy Ritchie To Direct 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Starring Tom Cruis

Please don't make Ilya a woman (unless they can absolutely, categorically avoid a romance between the two of them.)

 

[Christopher]

Re: Guy Ritchie To Direct 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Starring Tom Cruis

I'm sure there are plenty of fans who'd like to see a romance between them even if they're both male.

 

[the G-man]

Re: Guy Ritchie To Direct 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Starring Tom Cruis

Illya Kuryakin, who was a more serious, distant, enigmatic sort -- although Illya was also a younger man and a major sex symbol, dubbed "the blond Beatle" by the media due to his popularity with young female viewers...someone who can capture the character's stoic reserve and enigma. I can't think of anyone offhand, though.

Assuming they stick with a male actor, Ryan Gosling comes to mind.

 

[Pingfah]

Re: Guy Ritchie To Direct 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Starring Tom Cruis

Good idea. I just watched Drive the other day, not seen any of his films before, but I was very impressed.

 

[Starkers]

Re: Guy Ritchie To Direct 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Starring Tom Cruis

Too bad he's retired from acting for the moment then!

 

[Pingfah]

Re: Guy Ritchie To Direct 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Starring Tom Cruis

That would be an obstacle, yes

 

[lurok]

Re: Guy Ritchie To Direct 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Starring Tom Cruis

It's a shame Pine and Hardy were semi-wasted on This Means War. I'd prefer to have seen them in this.

How about Kunis or Jovovich as Mil(y)a Kuryakin? Kunis would be good if went dramatic comedy route; Jovovich if more straight-out guns and wire-work.

 

[Gaith]

Re: Guy Ritchie To Direct 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Starring Tom Cruis

It seems an odd choice for Cruise, given that he already has his spy franchise based on a 60s tv show. Of course, this is likely to be lighter-hearted than MI (but might that remind people of Knight and Day, where he also played a tongue-in-cheek spy?)

Aye, definitely odd; I don't think I like it, though a period setting could help...

 

[scotpens]

Re: Guy Ritchie To Direct 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Starring Tom Cruis

I'm sure there are plenty of fans who'd like to see a romance between them even if they're both male.

Yes, and I've read some of their slashfic! Doesn't quite suit the spirit of the original show, though.

 

[marillion]

Re: Guy Ritchie To Direct 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Starring Tom Cruis

My thoughts, too, went to Jon Hamm, but I can see him wanting to steer clear of it if they keep it in the 60's.

Honestly, George Clooney would fit nicely in the role. As for Illya, I wouldn't mind a woman taking on the character.. Milla would be fun, in a no-nonesense, guns and glory kind of character.

 

[Captaindemotion]

Re: Guy Ritchie To Direct 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Starring Tom Cruis

Illya Kuryakin, who was a more serious, distant, enigmatic sort -- although Illya was also a younger man and a major sex symbol, dubbed "the blond Beatle" by the media due to his popularity with young female viewers...someone who can capture the character's stoic reserve and enigma. I can't think of anyone offhand, though.

Assuming they stick with a male actor, Ryan Gosling comes to mind.

I like that suggestion too, though I think that the two leading men should be of similar age. Cruise has a good 20 years on Gosling.