Two years ago, there was some frothy chatter about a comedy action script called El Presidente that Tom Cruise was considering, with Jack Nicholson sounded out as a possible co-star. Warner Bros. denied that anyone was seriously involved and not much has been heard since. But now the rumour has once more broken the surface of the development seas, with Cruise’s name once more mentioned, Robert Downey Jr a mooted co-star and Jay Roach in talks to direct.
The story, written by former Daily Show producer and current Parks And Recreation staff member Dan Goor, follows a gung-ho, by-the-book Secret Service agent assigned to guard a bumbling, sleazy former president. Though he’s resigned to a life of fixing small messes and dealing with his annoying new boss, the agent gets a taste of real problems when a threat is made on the man’s life. So a bit Guarding Tess then?
According to Vulture, Roach is in negotiations to handle the megaphone, while the script will get another polish. And we’d stress that no formal offers have been made, though the studio is interested in both actors, not least because it would like to stay in business with Downey Jr between Sherlock jobs and Cruise has been getting good notices for his work in Rock Of Ages. Also, they're both A+ list, which doesn't hurt.
Still, the role of the upright agent sounds like it still fits Cruise, and Downey Jr would be a great choice for a sleazy git of a former president. Or vice versa could be funny! We’ll see if this one actually ends up coming true…