Tom Cruise, Doug Liman to reteam for “Mena” drug thriller

PanARMENIAN.Net - Tom Cruise and Doug Liman are in talks to reteam for Mena, a 1980s drug thriller being made by Universal and CrossCreek, The Hollywood Reporter said.

Liman, who helmed Cruise in last summer’s acclaimed sci-fi movie Edge of Tomorrow, is stepping into the shoes of Ron Howard, who was attached to direct the project when Universal picked it up as a spec by Gary Spinelli for a reported $1 million.

The story tells of Barry Seal, a fired TWA pilot who became a major drug smuggler for the Medellin Cartel. He was later recruited by the DEA and CIA to provide intelligence, with his work tying to the Iran Contra scandal. He was assassinated by Colombians in 1986.

Cross Creek Pictures will fully finance Mena and Cross Creek’s Brian Oliver and Tyler Thompson will produce alongside Imagine Entertainment’s Brian Grazer and Quadrant Pictures' Doug Davison.

Mena will bring back Liman to the studio for the first time since making 2002's Bourne Identity thriller. Cruise last worked for Universal when he starred in the sci-fi picture Oblivion.