Tom Cruise is officially on for One Shot, an adaptation of the ninth book in Lee Child’s series about Jack Reacher, and now the producers are looking for a female lead to play opposite him. According to THR, three actresses are currently in the running, with Hayley Atwell, Alexa Davalos and Rosamund Pike all testing for the role.
In the books, Jack Reacher is 6’5 and 250 pounds, but that going to be changed for Tom Cruise’s rather more diminutive frame. However the plot should remain the same, with Reacher a former military police officer turned drifter who is caught in the middle of the investigation of a sniper who has killed five people. The female lead is a hard-nosed attorney who is also the daughter of the district attorney. Brit Marling was an early favourite for the role, but a deal could not be made (perhaps because she’s just signed for Robert Redford’s flick, The Company You Keep).
Any of those actresses would probably be good for the part, and with the three of them having read for the role over the weekend, expect a decision soon.
Christopher McQuarrie adapted the screenplay for One Shot and will also direct, with shooting starting this autumn.