Tom Cruise in the horror movie "Deeper"
The movie is described as a mixture of "Gravity" and "The Martian"
Even at the age of 62, Tom Cruise is still one of the biggest action stars of our time. Now Cruise is venturing into the horror genre with "Deeper".
In an interview with Showbiz411, director Doug Liman – who has already worked with Tom Cruise on "Edge of Tomorrow" and "American Made" – revealed that his next project will indeed be a scary movie.
Rumors were already circulating in August 2024 that Cruise and Liman could be working on a long abandoned project: "Deeper". The supernatural thriller was once described as a mixture of "Gravity" and "The Martian". In the early stages of development, prominent names such as Idris Elba, Bradley Cooper and Gal Gadot were earmarked for the cast. The original script was written by "Chronicle" author Max Landis, who has since fallen out of favor in Hollywood due to allegations of sexual abuse. It is still unclear whether the script has been revised for the new adaptation.
The original plot revolved around a former astronaut who was banned from space missions after misconduct. However, a research trip into the deep sea offers him one last chance at rehabilitation. The protagonist is to set off for a newly discovered ocean trench – the deepest point on Earth. But the mission turns into a psychological nightmare when the astronaut encounters a mysterious and terrifying force.
There is no launch date yet. Anyway- there are good news for Tom Cruise fans - the grand finale "Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning" awaits us on May 23, 2025.
Doug Liman: A career between innovation, action and diversity
Doug Liman is one of the most versatile and influential directors in Hollywood. From his beginnings in independent cinema to blockbuster successes such as "The Bourne Identity" and experimental projects, Liman has proven multiple times that he knows how to tell stories in a gripping and innovative way. With a flair for strong characters and visual impact, he has established himself as one of the leading filmmakers of his generation.
The beginnings: from indie film to Hollywood
Liman was born in New York City on July 24, 1965. His love of film led him first to Brown University and later to the University of Southern California, where he studied film. He made his debut as a director in 1994 with Getting In, a black comedy that went largely unnoticed.
Liman made his breakthrough with "Swingers" (1996). The independent film, which sheds light on the lives of young actors in Los Angeles, quickly became a cult classic. With a sharp script by Jon Favreau and an unforgettable performance by Vince Vaughn, Swingers showcased Liman's talent for bringing dialogue and characters to life. The success of Swingers opened the doors to bigger projects for Liman.
The leap into the action genre: The Bourne Identity
Liman's international breakthrough came with "The Bourne Identity" (2002). The film, an adaptation of Robert Ludlum's novel, revolutionized the espionage genre. The mixture of realistic action scenes, intense characterization and a dense plot set it apart from the usual spy films. Matt Damon convinced as Jason Bourne, a former CIA agent with memory loss who is being hunted by his own organization. Liman brought a new, down-to-earth aesthetic to action cinema that still resonates in numerous films today. Even though he did not direct the sequels to the series, his influence on the franchise unmistakably remains.
Big stars and big stories: Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Jumper
After "The Bourne Identity", Liman proved that he could also be successful in other genres. With "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" (2005), he staged an explosive mixture of action, romance and comedy. The film, in which Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie play a married hitman couple, was a huge box office success. Liman showed his talent for combining action-packed scenes with humor and interpersonal tension.
In 2008, Liman ventured into the science fiction genre with "Jumper". The film tells the story of a young man with the ability to teleport through space and time. Although "Jumper" received mixed reviews, Liman once again demonstrated his courage to dare into visually ambitious projects.
Innovation and risk: Edge of Tomorrow and Chaos Walking
A highlight of Liman's career was "Edge of Tomorrow" (2014), a sci-fi action film starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt. The story of a soldier trapped in a time loop, reliving the same battle against alien invaders over and over again, wowed critics and viewers alike. The film impressed with its innovative storytelling, the chemistry of the lead actors and a successful mix of humor, action and suspense. Although the film initially generated only moderate revenues, it developed into a cult classic and is one of the best works of Liman's filmography.
Liman continued his collaboration with Cruise in "Made in America" (2017), a mixture of biopic and action comedy. The film is based on the true story of a pilot who worked for the CIA and the Medellín cartel. Here too, Liman showed his ability to tell complex stories in an entertaining way.
Another ambitious project was "Chaos Walking" (2021), a sci-fi drama based on the trilogy of novels by Patrick Ness. Starring Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley, the film tells of a dystopian world in which thoughts are audible. Despite its intriguing premise, the film was overshadowed by production problems and received mixed reviews. Nevertheless, Liman once again showed that he is prepared to take creative risks.
Back to the roots: Road House
A more recent success for Liman is the remake of "Road House". The original from 1989, a cult film starring Patrick Swayze, is about a bouncer who keeps order in a chaotic bar. Liman's version brings a breath of fresh air to the story and casts Jake Gyllenhaal in the lead role. With a modern approach and Liman's distinctive style, the film promises to honor the cult legacy of the original while setting new accents.
