The last time I saw Paul Dano was in 2007′s There Will Be Blood, where I thought he was brilliant (though Tarantino thinks otherwise). He’s been in a few smaller things since then, but I have yet to see any of them. Today, he’s positioned himself in something higher profile again. Dano has joined the cast of an untitled (formerly titled Wichita) action-comedy, to be directed by James Mangold (Walk the Line), along with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz.

“Variety” describes the film to be about “a federal agent, portrayed by Cruise, who finds himself teamed with a wholesome and upbeat Midwestern woman, played by Diaz. Dano will play a charming but mysterious scientist whose invention is at the center of Cruise and Diaz’s chase.”

From that plot description, you’d probably be hard-pressed to figure out where the “comedy” part of the film comes in, but one assumes it’s there. Dano of course is no stranger to that element after Little Miss Sunshine and hopefully this will grant him some more exposure to the masses, because I think he deserves it.

For the first time since the acting duo worked together on Cameron Crowe’s 2001 film Vanilla Sky (Abre Los Ojos remake), Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz will join forces in Wichita.  An action-comedy that is to be directed by James Mangold (Walk The Line), the actors have recently seen their stars dim sum (pun intended) in recent years with various couch-jumping episodes or poor choices in boyfriends (maybe I am reaching there).  Tommy’s career got a boost with a cameo in Tropic Thunder and last year’s Valkyrie did solid numbers at the box office.  Diaz on the other hand hasn’t led anything to success on her own in a spell, so this should be an interesting move to see how well they can interact together in a film that could have a significant stake in the path of their careers from here.  Getthebigpicture shares more:

… (Mangold) will direct a script that has been thoroughly worked over, according to Variety, and 20th Century Fox is targeting a summer 2010 release.  Cruise would play a spy who “pops in and out of the life of a single woman,” and we would assume that woman to be Diaz.

It’s difficult to tell what might come of this.  Is it a smaller movie with Oscar potential?  Probably not, due to the action-comedy slant.  Is it a bigger budget movie due to the stars with a director who has never helmed action before?  This seems a bit more likely.  Also, it could fall in between the two which makes anything a possibility.  Not much to get fired up about but at least the teaming of quality actors and director is inspired.  Don’t underestimate Diaz as an actress either.  She has held her own in many-a-role including the aforementioned “Sky” and Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday where IMO she first earned respect.  We’ll keep tabs on things from here, feel free to interject your opinions on the matter.