Superstar actor Tom Cruise and writer/director Christopher McQuarrie’s team-up on action-thriller, JACK REACHER, may not have been the runaway success the studios financing hoped, but today still saw the film reach an impressive worldwide gross of $200 million.
Paramount Pictures and Skydance were hoping to kick-start a new franchise featuring author Lee Child’s ex-military cop. However, despite a majority of critical praise, the film based on Child’s 9th novel, One Shot, didn’t quite reach the studios target domestically. With a budget of $60 million, JACK REACHER needed to perform well in its delayed release in Asian markets such as China and Japan, in order to move forward with a sequel.
JACK REACHER has done just that, as the film marks the 19th time a flick led by Cruise has crossed $200 million at the international box-office. An impressive feat not many others are even close to. A sequel now looks likely, which is great news for fans of Child’s literary hero and myself, as I loved the ruthless B-movie feel of McQuarrie’s effort.
If Paramount and Skydance do move forward, expect the budget and Cruise’s fee agreement to be slashed significantly to ensure a follow-up is worth the risk next time. I have my fingers, toes and arse crossed. It’s not like Tom needs the money, is it?
Both Cruise and McQuarrie are expected to collaborate again on MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 5.
Source: Deadline
