NEWS: Tom Cruise to play Carroll Shelby in Go Like Hell...?

[SunDude]

TheWrap is reporting that 20th Century Fox is planning to produce a movie based on AJ Baime's book about the GT40 victory at Le Mans in 1966 starring ...*gasp*... Tom Cruise as Carroll Shelby.

Aye-aye-aye!!

I'd be interested in seeing a movie about this story, but please God, let it be something other than a "Tom Cruise Hollywood blockbuster." yeesh!!

###

Tom Cruise, ‘Oblivion’ Director Joseph Kosinski to Reteam for Fox’s ‘Go Like Hell’ (Exclusive)
DEAL CENTRAL | By Jeff Sneider on October 23, 2013 @ 4:27 pm



The movie chronicles automaker Henry Ford II’s rivalry with Enzo Ferrari

Tom Cruise and "Oblivion" director Joseph Kosinski are planning to reteam for the racing movie "Go Like Hell," multiple individuals familiar with the 20th Century Fox project have told TheWrap.

The film is based on A.J. Baime’s book "Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and Their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans."

While there are no deals in place yet for Cruise or Kosinski, the duo are in talks to develop “Go Like Hell” as a starring vehicle for Cruise.

Story is set in the early 1960s when the Ford Motor Company was falling behind in the sports car marketplace, with baby boomers preferring to buy fast, stylish automobiles rather than safe, comfortable vehicles.

The book follows Henry Ford II, who with the help of young visionary Lee Iacocca and former racing champion-turned-engineer Carroll Shelby, concocted a scheme to reinvent the Ford company by entering the high-stakes world of European car racing, which had been dominated by Enzo Ferrari up until then.

The trio set out to design, build and race a car that could beat Ferrari at his own game at the world’s most prestigious and dangerous race — Le Mans.

Cruise has his eye on the role of Shelby, according to an individual familiar with the project.

Jason Keller wrote a draft of the script back when Michael Mann was developing the project. Paramount has been developing its own version of the story as it owns Shelby’s life rights, as well as a script originally written by Lisa Schrager.

Cruise and Kosinski are coming off of “Oblivion,” which grossed $286 million worldwide. Cruise will first shoot “Mission: Impossible 5″ with frequent collaborator Christopher McQuarrie. The actor knows his way around the race track, having starred in Tony Scott’s 1990 action-drama “Days of Thunder.”

Cruise next stars in Doug Liman’s “Edge of Tomorrow,” which Warner Bros. will release June 6. He’s represented by CAA and Greenberg Glusker.

Source: Tom Cruise, 'Oblivion' Director Joseph Kosinski to Reteam for Fox's 'Go Like Hell' (Exclusive) - TheWrap

[mickmate]

Really! A tall charismatic Texan getting played by that little twerp??

[eschaider]

Tommy Lee Jones would make a great Shelby if they could take a few years off of him.

Ed

[rodneym]

Is that what it's gonna take to make this movie?!?!

If he starts swinging a pool cue while yelling, "Hi-Ya" like in The Color of Money, or take his shirt off for a gratuitous oily volleyball game like in Top Gun........



There actually is an actor who kind of looks like a 55 year old Carroll...let me find him...

[RodKnock]

Every time I hear the name Tom Cruise, I immediately think about a infamous/famous South Park episode called "Trapped in the Closet." One of the funniest South Park episodes ever produced.

[Bernica]

OK, I'm thinking I'm gonna be sick.

[John McMahon]

I think R. Lee Ermey (Full Metal Jacket) is a better choice...he looks just like him and sounds a bit like him....

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by John McMahon

I think R. Lee Ermey (Full Metal Jacket) is a better choice...he looks just like him and sounds a bit like him....

You just nailed it John.

[eschaider]

Much better pick.

Ed

[Dinobyte]

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/64777

Cruise will likely play Henry Ford II.

Karl Urban would make a great Shelby.

[Bernica]

So many comments that I won't say, but this is just wrong if they do it. I am refraining, trust me.

[Clayboy]

Tom Cruise as Carroll Shelby... WTF?
Say it ain't so...

Bob

[PSB]

How's he going to play Shelby and still get the girl, lose the girl, then do something really dangerous and survive to get the girl back???? That is the basic plot of ALL Tom Cruise movies right?

[la cobra]

All i can think of is day's of thunder what a piece of work!!!!!!!!

[Bernica]

Totally at peace and refrained...

[69boss429]

Casting Cruise as Shelby is as bad as casting him as Jack Reacher.
But,it's not casting is it,he can "buy"any roll he wants.
I'll stick to the books

[SunDude]

Cruise has had a few good roles over the years -- such as A Few Good Men -- but for the most part his resume is chock-a-block full of Hollywood popcorn. And the thought of Days of Thunder makes me cringe.

On the upside, I suppose Cruise's height will come in useful should he need to climb into a GT40 for a scene.

How tall was Carroll Shelby, anyways? Approx. 6ft. 3in.? More?

According to IMDb, Tom Cruise is only 5ft. 7in. and looks nothing like Shelby either.

[Tommy]

I rather suspect Shelby would enthusiastically embrace whatever actor could get the movie made and bring him the most money. If that is Cruise, so be it. In fact, they may kindred spirits in that sense. .... I won't be paying to see it, but Hollywood doesn't make movies for people my age anyhow.

[Hydramada]

It is Hollyweird so I am not surprised but most definitely disappointed. Tommy Lee Jones or Harrison Ford would be a much better fit for Carroll Shelby.

[CHRIS POTTER]

I can't stand that sawed off little twerp! I would love to see a movie about Shelby, but not with him in it. I live and work near Mooresville, NC where "Days of Blunder" was filmed. That's the local nickname for the movie, as it was so unrealistic. An accurate film about Carroll Shelby would be great, hopefully with someone else as Shelby. Tom Cruise wasn't too popular around here after Days of Thunder was filmed. Just my 2 cents.