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Wednesday
28Oct2009

Woo-Hoo! Woo Woos Cruise

DateWednesday, October 28, 2009 at 2:25AM
Two years ago, this news would have you running for the hills. John Woo and Tom Cruise, who made that hulking mass of mediocrity known as Mission: Impossible 2, are getting back together for a World War II epic called Flying Tigers.

Why would you have a recent change of heart? Well, Cruise has made smarter choices, like his Tropic Thunder cameo and the mostly solid Valkyrie and Woo, who went from one of the most promising import directors to one of the more embarrassing in a handful of years, has reportedly bounced back with his Chinese period drama Red Cliff. Another reason to be encouraged is that this film apparently has a script co-written by Christopher McQuarrie.

Coming Soon talked to Woo about the project last week, and here's his official synopsis:

"It's based on a true story in WWII, about a group of American volunteer fighter pilots who worked with the Chinese Air Force fighting with the Japanese and they won the war. Also, it's the story of Clair Chennault, and they did a great contribution for the Chinese, and the Chinese people love and respect them. The whole story is about a friendship between a Chinese and an American and they worked together."

What's interesting is that Woo didn't mention Cruise then and the new Variety article mentions Cruise but not Woo. So, do the math. The only drawback is that, despite Valkyrie being a pretty decent flick, it wasn't the hit Cruise had hoped it would be. Tough to see how a plot less familiar and popular than trying to kill Hitler might serve him better.

However, it does offer some seldom-seen Sino-American cooperation in the cinema and maybe, just maybe, a chance for Woo to further redeem himself.

AuthorColin Boyd | | in , , , | Print ArticlePrint Article | | CommentPost a Comment |

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