Tom’s Peak Practice

Anthony Minghella has signed up Tom Cruise for his next movie Cold Mountain. The film's producer, Sidney Pollack told the Australian press this week about his next project and confirmed the casting for the lead role; 'I'm doing Cold Mountain with Tom Cruise and Anthony Minghella and we're in deep preparation for that at the moment.' Cruise, who's currently shooting Minority Report with Steven Spielberg, will play the lead role of Inman - a Civil War soldier who undergoes a traumatic journey back home from the battlefield to his sweetheart. The female lead hasn't been cast yet but rumours are tying Renee Zellweger to the role - which will be a second teaming for Renee and Tom following their last successful outing in Jerry Maguire. Casting Cruise is something of a coup for Minghella who had the luxury of several A-list stars - including Brad Pitt and Ed Norton - angling for the role of Inman. Speaking to Empire earlier this year, Minghella explained why he wanted to adapt yet another book for the big screen. 'The novel broke my heart when I read it." Minghella admitted. "A friend of mine read it and, when he finished it, threw it across the room. I thought any book that could evince that kind of reaction was worth thinking about.'