We reported several weeks ago that Tom Cruise was all but confirmed to play the U.S. president in The 28th Amendment, a thriller that was to be directed by Phillip Noyce and co-star Denzel Washington. But now Variety has delivered a hold-your-horses on that story, saying Amendment is being set aside in favor of something else: an espionage thriller called Edwin A. Salt.

This one will star Cruise as a CIA agent accused of being a traitor. He has to go on the lam long enough to clear his name, find the real bad guy, etc.; you know the drill. The film has been in the works as a star vehicle for Cruise for some time, with Terry George and Peter Berg at various times attached to direct it. (The screenplay was written by Kurt Wimmer, author of the recent flop Street Kings.) Now it looks like the reins will go to Noyce, who previously made the action flicks Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger.

The 28th Amendment sounds fine, and no doubt it will still get made with a different director and co-star for Denzel. But I really like the sound of Edwin A. Salt. Noyce is a very solid director, with 2002's double-whammy of Rabbit-Proof Fence and The Quiet American still looming large in my memory, and he's generally made serious, respectable films (Sliver notwithstanding). We don't know yet how Cruise's troubled Valkyrie will turn out, but Edwin A. Salt -- a heroic role guided by a smart director -- could be a wise move for his next project.

Considering how hard it is to get people to go see a Tom Cruise movie these days, it wouldn't be surprising if it was also hard to get a director who'll work with the guy. Of course, Cruise's waning bankability isn't the reason that his spy movie, the weakly titled Edwin A. Salt, has already lost Terry George and Michael Mann as potential directors. I'm not sure why they aren't doing the film (Mann apparently picked Public Enemies instead), but it can't be fears of a potentially low gross. No matter; they are out and Peter Berg (The Kingdom) is in, according to Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider Blog. Well, he's not quite in yet; Columbia Pictures is only reportedly wooing the guy, though in the end it's supposedly up to Cruise's approval whether or not he gets the gig. Interestingly enough, Berg can almost be viewed as a Mann protégé, since he produced The Kingdom and Berg's follow-up, next summer's Will Smith vehicle, Hancock (the trailer of which hit the net this week). However, it doesn't appear that Mann will have any involvement with Edwin A. Salt.

I won't admit to being the biggest fan of Berg's work (who could, really?), but I will admit that The Kingdom was one of my top ten movies of 2007. Though it's mainly on my list because all critics have to have that one obligatory mainstream Hollywood pick, I do think it was directed quite well, with a tone that perfectly suited what it was really about (American dreams of an '80s action-movie-type response to 9/11). Also, his Friday Night Lights (the film; I haven't seen the TV pilot he did) was better than most high school football movies. So, I'm excited to see what he can do with Cruise, a script from Kurt Wimmer (Equilibrium) and the beginning-to-get-tired world of spies.

This past weekend, while hunting for movies I never had a chance to see, I decided to pick up Breach on DVD. Inspired by the real-life story of FBI Agent-turned-Russian spy Robert Hanson, the film is one of those rare spring gems that went fairly unnoticed when it hit theaters. Those looking for an excellent drama should definitely check this out and -- wow -- though I never thought it was possible, I might be starting to actually like Ryan Phillippe. I mention Breach because this spy stuff is pretty hot right now, and Variety reports Tom Cruise might be looking to get this feet wet in a film that sort of reminds me of a mix between The Fugitive and The Bourne Whatever. Columbia Pictures is in talks to have Terry George (who helmed the magnificent Hotel Rwanda) direct Edwin A. Salt, with Cruise potentially playing the lead character.

The film follows a CIA officer (Cruise) who is fingered as a Russian sleeper spy, and subsequently sets out on a mission to not only prove his innocence, but also reunite with his family -- all while attempting to elude those who want his head on a silver platter. The script was penned by Kurt Wimmer (The Recruit, Ultraviolet), while Lorenzo di Boneventura and Sunil Perkash are producing. Personally, this looks to be the perfect role for Cuise, who I've always found shines in parts that rely more on drama than non-stop action. And it also goes to show the man is looking to lose himself in some nice-looking films (Lions for Lambs, Valkyrie) instead of opting to jump on couches and offend depressed mothers. No word yet on whether Cruise will take on this film before those other two comedies (Men, Hardy Boys) he has planned, but here's hoping this film adds to a long line of upcoming Cruise vehicles that will definitely be worth our time.