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According to reports, Tom Cruise is very serious about making a spin-off movie centred on his famous ‘Tropic Thunder’ character, Les Grossman. The character, a fiery and unforgettable film producer known for his explosive temper and signature dance, first appeared in the 2008 comedy ‘Tropic Thunder’, alongside Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr. The film followed a group of actors caught in a chaotic war movie shoot.
Christopher McQuarrie, director of ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’, revealed in an interview on Josh Horowitz’s ‘Happy Sad Confused’ podcast that he and Tom Cruise often discuss the possibility of a Les Grossman standalone movie. These conversations, he explained, are not just casual but very serious, focusing on how best to bring the character to life on screen again.
McQuarrie shared that talking about the potential spin-off became a way for him and Tom Cruise to unwind during the demanding shoot of the final ‘Mission: Impossible’ film. They would play with scenes and ideas, enjoying moments away from the main production by riffing on the Les Grossman character.
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Image Courtesy: IMDb
Although a spin-off project appears to be in the works, Ben Stiller has expressed uncertainty about whether a comedy like ‘Tropic Thunder’ could be released today, citing changing social and economic landscapes in the entertainment industry. Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal of an Australian actor undergoing "pigmentation alteration" to play an African-American character is one of the contentious aspects of the movie that has generated continuous discussions. Downey Jr. justified this decision by saying it disproved negative stereotypes.
Meanwhile, ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’, the eighth film in the franchise, opened strongly at the box office with $63 million in its first weekend, making it the highest-grossing film in the series so far. Critics have praised it for its thrilling stunts and nostalgic moments, marking a high note for what may be the final chapter of Tom Cruise’s action-packed saga.
