Tom Cruise is in talks to star in The Man From U.N.C.L.E.. The Jack Reacher actor is in early negotiations to star in the big screen adaptation of the cult 1960s TV show, which sees agents Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin fighting the evil of Thrush as part of the United Network Command for Law Enforcement, Deadline reports.

The film is due to be directed by Sherlock Holmes filmmaker Guy Ritchie, who stepped in after Steven Soderbergh departed the project.

If Cruise - who is also believed to be preparing for a new Jack Reacher movie and a fifth installment in the Mission: Impossible franchise - accepts the role, he will be taking over from George Clooney, who was originally in line for the project.

However, he dropped out because he needed surgery on his neck and back so wasn't able to undertake a physical role.

The original 'Man From U.N.C.L.E.' TV series ran from 1964-68 and starred Robert Vaughan and David McCallum.

Cruise will next be seen in 'Oblivion', which is released next month, and 'All You Need Is Kill', which has a March 2014 release date.

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