Universal Pictures today announced that production has begun in Georgia and confirmed casting for the upcoming film Mena. Tom Cruise reunites with his Edge of Tomorrow director, Doug Liman, in this international escapade based on the outrageous (and real) exploits of Barry Seal, a hustler and pilot unexpectedly recruited by the CIA to run one of the biggest covert operations in U.S. history.
“I love stories of improbable heroes working against the system, and Barry Seal took the government, and our country, for an unbelievable ride,” said Liman. “Interpreting his story has the makings for an entertaining film that is equal parts satire, suspense and comedy—and always surprising.”
Also starring in Mena are Domhnall Gleeson (Unbroken), Sarah Wright (TV’s “Marry Me”), Jesse Plemons (upcoming Black Mass), Caleb Landry Jones (X-Men: First Class), Jayma Mays (TV’s “Glee”), Benito Martinez (Netflix’s “House of Cards”), E. Roger Mitchell (Selma), Lola Kirke (Gone Girl) and Alejandro Edda (TV’s “The Bridge”).
Cross Creek Pictures will fully finance Mena. The film is produced by Cross Creek’s Brian Oliver and Tyler Thompson, alongside Imagine Entertainment’s Brian Grazer and Kim Roth, and Quadrant Pictures’ Doug Davison.
Joining Liman’s Mena creative team are cinematographer César Charlone (The Constant Gardener), production designer Dan Weil (The Bourne Identity), editor Dylan Tichenor (Brokeback Mountain) and costume designer Jenny Gering (TV’s “The Americans”).
Mena will film through July in counties throughout Georgia including Cherokee, Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinett, Morgan, Pickens and others.
The movie will be released by Universal Pictures on Friday, January 6, 2017.
