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Monday
11Aug2008

Angelina Searching for Cruise's Lost Shaker of 'Salt'

DateMonday, August 11, 2008 at 10:23PM
When last we reported on the case of Edwin A. Salt, it was to deflect an unfounded rumor that Will Smith would replace his good friend Tom Cruise in the upcoming spy thrilla for director Phillip Noyce. Fast forward a couple weeks and Cruise is definitely out, but one look at his replacement tells you how off-base the Smith rumor really was.

Yep, if everyone on the Salt set were to wear those name badges they hand out at conventions, this one would say, "Hello, my name is Angelina." The mother of Zahara, Pax, Maddox, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne has inked a deal to star in the CIA drama, according to The Hollywood Reporter. That's the first time in recent memory one star has been replaced in a leading role by another big star of the opposite gender. There's a joke in there somewhere; feel free to leave your best one in the comments section.

Now, as for the movie, it will obviously need a new title, and indeed, screenwriter Kurt Wimmer will touch up the screenplay to make the necessary changes. The basics of the story should remain unchanged: Salt is a CIA operative who must prove he/she is not a Russian spy sent to the U.S. to kill the president. Noyce is in familiar territory here, since he directed the second and third Jack Ryan movies.

The role would have been great with Cruise, I believe, who is a much better action star than he is a versatile actor, and for the record, he's the best runner in Hollywood. Running in movies is an underrated craft, until you see how badly Pierce Brosnan and Harrison Ford do it. Cruise, Will Smith, and Matt Damon are probably the best full-tilt runners around.

As for Jolie, we're on record as saying she's the best action heroine working. She's instantly believable as Lara Croft, as a spy in Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and as a hitperson in Wanted.

Why is Cruise out? Oops. Poor choice of words.

My guess for why he's no longer affiliated with the project is probably the same as your guess: People have lost faith in his ability to open a movie. Maybe there were scheduling conflicts, although The Reporter doesn't list any. I do know that five years ago, any movie on Earth would wait for Cruise to free up his schedule.

The Reporter also makes mention of Jolie's struggling Atlas Shrugged adaptation, saying only that she plans to carry on with the project, though whether or not if follows this film or precedes it has not been determined.

AuthorColin Boyd | | in , , | Print ArticlePrint Article | | Comment1 Comment |

Reader Comments (1)

Ahh, they finally noticed he needs to retire 5 years to late

Monday, August 11, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterKAG

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