The latest in a string of "Star Wars" rumors? That Tom Cruise could make a cameo in the new movie. (Via Wikimedia Commons / Gage Skidmore)
That report is coming from The Sun, which claims Cruise met with director J.J. Abrams in London and discussed the idea.
The two do have a working relationship; Abrams is producing the fifth "Mission Impossible" movie, set for release next year. (Via IMDb)
According to The Sun, it's a setback that might make this happen.
Apparently, with Harrison Ford's headline-making injury stalling production, there's time to craft a Cruise cameo. (Via CNN)
And some good publicity from a fun cameo could be just what Cruise's career needs.
Despite rave reviews for his new movie, "Edge of Tomorrow," the big-budget flick has been a flop at the box office in the U.S. Granted, it's been a hit overseas, but poor performance stateside has media saying Cruise just isn't a star anymore. (Via The Kansas City Star)
Variety's Peter Bart recently explored the very thing that seems to be plaguing Cruise: that in America, the movie star is disappearing, or at least, a name alone is no longer enough to create box office buzz.
"In years past, major projects could be pre-sold worldwide on star names, but distributors know they can't be monetized to the same degree any more."
Even, it seems, if the movie is good. "Edge of Tomorrow" is Cruise's best-reviewed movie in years, with a 90 percent approval rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.
Truly, Cruise's last blockbuster was 2011's "Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol," also produced by Abrams. So "Star Wars," may the Cruise be with you. (Via Paramount Pictures / "Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol")
