Cruise, who is now heading up MGM's United Artists studio, could be primed for a comeback. Helping matters is that this political thriller also features box office stars Robert Redford and Meryl Streep.
But MGM may have an uphill battle on its hands marketing the film. It will be interesting to see if the studio can make movie fans forget the Tom Cruise of 2006, the couch-jumping, psychiatry-hating taunter of Brooke Shields and Matt Lauer.
In addition, the movie faces tough competition from "Fred Claus," a Christmas-themed comedy starring Vince Vaughn as Santa's brother that is expected to be a big hit.
"If `Lions for Lambs' doesn't wind up doing well, the Cruise factor will be something to focus on. It's one of the bigger question marks this fall," said Hartigan of Exhibitor Relations.
So "Lions for Lambs" could reignite Cruise's acting career. But if the movie flops, it will make Sumner Redstone's "firing" of him from Paramount last year look all the wiser.
