Universal Pictures is negotiating to shoot first movie in space, starring Tom Cruise aboard SpaceX Crew Dragon

Back in May, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a Twitter post the agency is working with Hollywood action movie actor Tom Cruise and Elon Musk’s space company SpaceX to film a movie at the International Space Station (ISS).

In a May 5 tweet, Bridenstine said: “NASA is excited to work with @TomCruise on a film aboard the @Space_Station ! We need popular media to inspire a new generation of engineers and scientists to make @NASA ’s ambitious plans a reality. ”

Now, it seems the movie may be coming sooner than later. In an exclusive report by Variety, Universal Pictures is negotiating to film its first movie in outer space that will be starring Tom Cruise aboard SpaceX Crew Dragon. According to Variety, the movie will be directed by former Cruise collaborator Doug Liman and have a production budget of about $200 million. Representatives for Universal and Tom Cruise had so far commented on the story.

If everything goes as plan, Cruise could earn somewhere between $30 million and $60 million, Variety said, citing insiders familiar with the negotiations. Variety added:

“This kind of innovation does not come cheap. Sources said the production budget has been set at $200 million in the most optimistic projections. Cruise could earn somewhere between $30 million and $60 million, according to insiders. This would cover his services as a producer and star, and also be comprised of significant first-dollar gross participation over a windfall up front.”

https://twitter.com/JimBridenstine/status/1257752395750289409