The best stories are often the true ones which is why it's no surprise Tom Cruise's newest movie, 'American Made', looks like one wild ride.
The film is based on the real life of Barry Seal, an American smuggler of drugs, weapons and money, who worked for the CIA, the DEA and the Medellín Cartel.
Seal was a commercial pilot who was fired when he was arrested and accused of sending explosives to Mexico. After a mistrial he reportedly started work for the CIA. Once he began running between the United States and Latin America, Seal started trafficking drugs working for the likes of Jorge Ochoa and Pablo Escobar. In 1984, Seal was indicted and was expected to serve a 10-year sentence.
To avoid prison, Seal signed on with the DEA to work as an informant, and was a vital figure in the Nicaragua sting operation, famously photographing Escobar load a plane full of cocaine. Eventually Seal was assassinated by members of the Medellín Cartel for his role in the sting. Basically, the film doesn't need to add much drama to this already insane story.
The film is being directed by Doug Liman, who worked with Cruise earlier in the sci-fi action film 'Edge of Tomorrow'. The film stars Cruise along with Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Wright, Jesse Plemons, Lola Kirke and Jayma Mays.
While the film looks to be taking a comedic approach to the action thriller, production wasn't all laughs. In 2015 a small twin-engine plane that was being used for the film crashed in Colombia, killing two and leaving a third seriously injured. The film's producers were sued by family of one of the victims, filing a wrongful death suit.
'American Made' is scheduled to open in cinemas August 24.
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