Cruise is target of "Food Fight" comedy

By Steven Zeitchik

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - With buzz surrounding his comedic turn as a depraved movie mogul in "Tropic Thunder," which opened across North America Wednesday, Tom Cruise is eyeing an even bigger humorous role.

The A-lister is loosely attached to star in "Food Fight," playing a snooty New York chef who is forced to cook meals at a school cafeteria. The project is set up at Universal-based Working Title. No director is currently attached.

"Food Fight" would mark a departure for Cruise, who has made few comedies since his breakout role in 1983's "Risky Business." His last such lead role was in 1996's romantic comedy-drama "Jerry Maguire."

Cruise's next headlining role is in the decidedly noncomedic drama "Valkyrie," in which he plays a Nazi commander who plotted to kill Hitler. It opens next year.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter