Is the script doctor in?

Tom Cruise is one of my favorite actors.  Waiting for one of his films to be released puts me on pins and needles.  So, I get excited, to say the least, when the trades start reporting Cruise’s next film.  The excitement is getting the best of me because there are several films Cruise has been working on with script doctors.  

Here are the standings as I write this piece. Keep in mind I am bucking for The Matarese Circle because I truly feel that Denzel Washington, David Cronenberg and Tom Cruise formula makes a great film.  I’d love to see Cronenberg take on a topliner. His career is ready for this opportunity. Yet, I’d like to see Cruise star in a comedy.

This is what Variety says are the top choices for Cruise:  DreamWorks drama Motorcade, to be directed by Len Wiseman, followed by Spyglass remake The Tourist (with Charlize Theron), to be helmed by Bharat Nalluri, and Fox action comedy Wichita (with Cameron Diaz), which James Mangold will direct. Also still in the mix is MGM’s The Matarese Circle which potentially matches Cruise with Denzel Washington and helmer David Cronenberg.

Please note: Taking a screenplay to a script doctor is common practice in Hollywood.  Script doctors get paid a pretty dollar for their talent.