UPDATE: HitFix talked with producer Don Murphy, who denied the June start date:
“We are all trying to get Mountains up and running with Tom and Jim and everybody but no start date has been set AT ALL.”
It is odd that he re-confirms Tom Cruise‘s involvement even though his reps deny it. Check out the original story below and I hope this all gets cleared up soon.
This should prove to be an interesting combination. It has been in debate for some time as to whether or not Tom Cruise would snag the lead in the forthcoming James Cameron-produced, Guillermo Del Toro-helmed At the Mountains of Madness – based on the H.P. Lovecraft novel of the same name. i09 spoke with producer Don Murphy, who stated Tom Cruise has the role, but The Playlist has confirmed with his reps that he doesn’t quite yet. It could be the case of an early leak from the producer, but the studio wants to sent out an official release, so they are denying the casting. Murphy also said a June start is set, so we will find out soon.
If cast, Cruise will star as geologist/professor William Dreyer, who leads an expedition into the depths of the Antarctic plateau, only to discover “strange fossils of unheard-of creatures…and the carved stones tens of millions of years old…and, finally, the mind-blasting terror of the City of the Old Ones.” Joining the film will also be Del Toro vet Ron Perlman as a “dog sled guy” (gripping).
Having not read the novel, I can’t speak to its quality as source material, or whether or not Cruise is the right pick for Dreyer, but the macabre and fantastic nature of the synopsis feels like a cozy fit for Del Toro. I am a bit of a Tom Cruise apologist (I find him to be a better actor than most would give him credit for), and am definitely intrigued to see if he works well with Del Toro behind him. In any case, their possible teaming-up will be a nice addition to his resume after shaking things up with what is sure to be an underwhelming musical.
Thoughts on Cruise possibly joining Madness? Are you excited to see what he and Del Toro cook up, or would you rather someone else lead the film?