New director for Cruise spy thriller

(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-12-27 16:44

Peter Berg poses as he arrives in Hollywood November 1, 2007. Berg, the director of 'The Kingdom,' is in talks to shoot 'Edwin A. Salt,' a spy thriller starring Tom Cruise. [Agencies]

Peter Berg, the director of "The Kingdom," is in talks to shoot "Edwin A. Salt," a spy thriller starring Tom Cruise.

The story centers on a CIA officer who is fingered as a Russian sleeper spy. He eludes capture by superiors who are convinced that he is out to assassinate the president and struggles to find the true traitor while attempting to reunite with his family.

The Columbia Pictures project has seen several directors come and go, including Terry George ("Hotel Rwanda") and Michael Mann ("Miami Vice").

Berg met with Cruise twice in the past couple of weeks to discuss the script and is intent on making "Salt" his next project. He had wanted to go with "Lone Survivor," but the script for the Universal project needs additional work.

Columbia hopes to make "Salt" in the summer, though the Hollywood writers strike and upcoming directors and actors contract talks could factor into shooting dates.

Berg is in postproduction on "Hancock," starring Will Smith as a tortured superhero, which Columbia is releasing July 2.