Tom Cruise is reportedly interested in developing some type of Tropic Thunder spinoff involving his character, Les Grossman. Released in 2008, Tropic Thunder tells the story of a group of actors who attempt to set off into the jungle to create the greatest Vietnam War movie ever made. Directed and starring Ben Stiller, Tropic Thunder proved generally popular with both audiences and critics and boasted a standout cast, including Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Brandon T. Jackson, Jay Baruchel, and Danny McBride.
While the performances from Stiller and Downey Jr. remain highlights, it's Cruise's cameo as studio executive Les Grossman that has perhaps become one of the most memorable aspects of the film. In a movie filled with wacky characters, Grossman stands alone, defined by angry, profanity-laced outbursts, his love of diet coke, and a penchant for dance. In one of Tropic Thunder's more memorable (and meme-able) moments, Grossman turns on "Low" by Flo Rida and dances while the end credits roll. Wearing a bald cap and body prosthetics, the legendary Mission: Impossible star is nearly unrecognizable in the role.
Per a new report from Deadline, Cruise is apparently looking to continue his working relationship with renowned Mission: Impossible franchise director Christopher McQuarrie for several new projects, among them a Grossman spinoff of some sort. It's not clear whether this Tropic Thunder spinoff would be a movie centered around Grossman or if the Cruise character would simply make a cameo in another project. With Cruise and McQuarrie still filming Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 2 and with Cruise also slated to film a movie in outer space, it's unclear when a Grossman project could actually come to fruition.
While Cruise's deplorable studio executive from Tropic Thunder remains a highlight all these years later, it remains to be seen whether the character could carry an entire film. After all, the over-the-top nature of Grossman as a character lends itself more to a cameo-type role rather than the anchor for an entire movie. Despite this, however, it was rumored that a Grossman solo movie was in the works not long after Tropic Thunder came out, but the film never ended up coming to fruition. If Cruise does take on the role of Grossman once more, it would certainly mark a significant departure from the types of roles the star has taken on recently.
Now 60 years old, the last decade of Cruise's career has essentially seen the actor double down on one type of role. From Mission: Impossible and Oblivion, to Edge of Tomorrow and Top Gun: Maverick, Cruise's recent career has revolved around traditionally likable leading men in action-heavy roles. While once again donning the body prosthetics and bald cap and busting out some dance moves would certainly be a surprising turn from the actor, Tropic Thunder fans would surely be happy to see Grossman make his big-screen comeback in one form or another.
Source: Deadline