Tom Cruise’s Les Grossman Spinoff: Tropic Thunder’s Wild Return

Back in 2008, Tropic Thunder landed in cinemas and sent up the film industry in a way that had everyone talking. Among the cast, Tom Cruise’s portrayal of Les Grossman—a brash, short-fused, and foul-mouthed studio boss—quickly became a standout, even though he wasn’t the main focus. The character’s over-the-top antics struck a chord, and by 2010, word got out that a spinoff centred on Grossman was in the works. While that project seemed to vanish into thin air, there’s finally been a fresh update, nearly two decades on, and it’s sounding more real than ever.

In a recent chat, Justin Theroux, who co-wrote Tropic Thunder, confirmed that the spinoff is still alive and kicking.

This has been something that has been kicked around in theory and in reality, and there’s been a couple of attempts at points of entry. But I think we all look forward to hopefully making that happen.

He added,

That would be great, and I have some ideas for it, and some of those ideas have been expressed, but I can’t really give you any other update that there’s nothing currently. There’s no start date or anything.

So, while there’s no set timeline, the fact that the project is still being discussed after all these years suggests it’s not just a pipe dream.

Behind the Scenes: Cruise and McQuarrie Team Up

Despite the initial announcement in 2010, updates on the spinoff have been few and far between. In 2022, before Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One got underway, reports surfaced that Tom Cruise and his frequent collaborator Christopher McQuarrie were in talks to take the reins on the Les Grossman project. McQuarrie, well-known for his work with Cruise on the Mission: Impossible series, Jack Reacher, and Edge of Tomorrow, has a knack for action and sharp wit.

Their partnership has already brought the Mission: Impossible franchise to a close with The Final Reckoning, and their ongoing collaboration is a big reason why the Les Grossman spinoff is generating so much buzz among film fans. With both blokes on board, the project has a solid foundation and plenty of potential for the kind of sharp, satirical humour that made the original so memorable.

Why the Timing Feels Spot On

When Les Grossman first burst onto the scene, streaming services were barely a blip on the radar. The character’s unapologetic send-up of Hollywood’s behind-the-scenes chaos and industry stereotypes was a breath of fresh air. Fast forward to today, and the landscape has shifted dramatically—streaming giants are shaking up the business, and films are under more scrutiny than ever.

With all the changes in the industry, there’s a strong case for bringing Grossman back. His no-nonsense attitude and willingness to take the mickey out of Hollywood’s biggest names and trends would fit right in with the current climate. The original Tropic Thunder poked fun at method acting and the absurdities of the business, and a spinoff could easily do the same, just with a modern twist.

Key Details and Lasting Impact

For those who need a refresher, Tropic Thunder was directed by Ben Stiller and featured a cast including Stiller himself, Robert Downey Jr., and Jack Black. The film hit screens on 13 August 2008, earning a 7.1/10 on IMDb and an 82% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with a global box office haul of $195 million. DreamWorks Pictures produced the film, and it’s currently available to stream on Paramount+.

Les Grossman’s larger-than-life persona left a lasting impression, and with the industry ripe for satire, punters are keen to see what chaos he might unleash next. Whether the spinoff finally gets off the ground remains to be seen, but the appetite for more of Cruise’s outrageous character is clearly still there.