A brief featurette intercut with scenes of upcoming biopic American Made and a discussion between director Doug Liman and Tom Cruise in which the two detail the real-life Barry Seal has hit the web via Universal Pictures. Cruise is, again, teaming up with Edge of Tomorrow director Liman and will be portraying the historic anti-hero in the film, which is slated for release at the end of September.

Akin to recent films such as War Dogs or even the Leonardo DiCaprio-led Wolf of Wall StreetAmerican Made looks to observe, but not celebrate, the raucous lifestyle of a real-life scoundrel, Barry Seal – a roguish pilot who double-crossed both the CIA and the Mexican drug cartel. However, as these lines can sometimes be blurred, even Cruise admits to a bit of "wish fulfillment."  

Referring to Seal as a modern-day "cowboy," Liman and the film's star discuss some of the more unbelievable, albeit true stories surrounding the outlaw – most of which will likely be on screen. (Read Universal Pictures' description below.)

In Universal Pictures’ American Made, Tom Cruise reunites with his Edge of Tomorrow director, Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Mr. and Mrs. Smith), in this international escapade based on the outrageous (and real) exploits of a hustler and pilot unexpectedly recruited by the CIA to run one of the biggest covert operations in U.S. history.

Based on a true story, American Made co-stars Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Wright, E. Roger Mitchell, Jesse Plemons, Lola Kirke, Alejandro Edda, Benito Martinez, Caleb Landry Jones and Jayma Mays.

Tom Cruise in American Made

Cruise and Liman describe a likable criminal in Barry Seal, a man who committed serious crimes and was still beloved by many of those who knew him. And so far, the American Made trailers have done a good job at portraying Cruise as that lovable anti-hero.

Biopics of this nature can be seen as a dime-a-dozen these days. While the aforementioned Wolf of Wall Street absolutely crushed the box office and garnered critical praise, last summer's War Dogs was met with mixed reviews and offered an OK commercial performance. Another example, the Michael Keaton-led Ray Kroc biopic, The Founder, maintains an 84 percent critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes but was unable to even make its budget back at the box office. Most of its financial failures likely had to do with a lackluster marketing campaign, but regardless, the market for these films has been somewhat hit-or-miss in recent years.

With a winning team in place both in front of the camera as well as behind, Universal Pictures is hoping that they have a hit on their hands that can carry them through early goings of the fall season.

Next: American Made Includes Tom Cruise Plane Stunt

Source: Universal Pictures

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