Tom Cruise is in talks to star in David Cronenberg's upcoming adaptation of Robert Ludlum’s political thriller “The Matarese Circle."

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Cruise would jump into the role of Russian spy Vasili Taleniekov, who's the biggest enemy of American intelligence operative Brandon Scofield (Denzel Washington).

Derek Haas, Michael Brandt and Cronenberg worked on the script, which follows these two men as they are forced to launch into a collaboration to put and end to a political conspiracy run by an organization called the Matarese.

Ludlum also wrote the popular Jason Bourne novels, which were successfully adapted into three excellent big-screen action blockbusters.

Cruise last starred in Bryan Singer's "Valkyrie," in which he delivered a decent enough performance. But another big blockbuster certainly wouldn't hurt.

Washington also has several projects coming up, including "The Book of Eli" and "The Taking of Pelham 123." As for Cronenberg, he recently directed the excellent "Eastern Promises."

Charlize Theron is in talks to join Tom Cruise in Bharat Nalluri’s upcoming “The Tourist,” a remake of France’s “Anthony Zimmer.”

Variety says the film centers on an American tourist who faces great danger when a female Interpol (Theron) agent tricks him into taking out a criminal she once had an affair with.

Nalluri, whose credits include “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day,” is directing a script by Julian Fellowes. Christopher McQuarrie (“Valkyrie”) is currently doing a rewrite.

Theron was last seen opposite Will Smith in “Hancock.” She will next star in Guillermo Arriaga’s “The Burning Plain,” followed by John Hillcoat’s “The Road.”

The original “Anthony Zimmer” was directed by Jerome Salle and starred Yvan Attal and Sophie Marceau.

Two weeks ago Cinema Blend posted a story about the possibility of Tom Cruise being considered to lend his voice to one of the villains you’ll see in DreamWorks Animations’ “Shrek Goes Fourth,” but according to rep Jeff Raymond, that rumor is not true.

Talking to E! news, Raymond said, "As of today, there is no truth to the Tom Cruise-Shrek 4 rumor." But that's pretty much all he said about it.

Apparently, the rumor made it all the way into a Los Angeles Times blog entry after it first appeared. As of tomorrow, however, nobody will be talking about it anymore. Although DreamWorks declined to comment, this is pretty much it for now - no Cruise in the fourth "Shrek" flick.

And honestly, who cares anyway? I gave up on the stinky ogre after "Shrek the Third," and I doubt they'll be able to reinvent the franchise. If they do, good for them AND me. See you in far far away land...