AceShowbiz -

Known for his role as rookie pilot in "Top Gun", Tom Cruise may next lead a ship crew. The "Mission: Impossible" hunk is reportedly offered to star in Millennium Films' action film "South China Sea" to be directed by Mans Marlind & Bjorn Stein, who worked behind the lens on "Underworld: Awakening".

According to Deadline, the pic is "Fast and Furious" set on water. The site further describes it as "a contemporary story of a legendary American pirate who was imprisoned in Hong Kong by his nemesis, a female police lieutenant."

"She shows up to set him free, with a condition: he must help her take down a formidable pirate gang plaguing shipping lanes across the South China Sea. He has more incentive than freedom; he might have a chance to save his estranged son, who is in the center of things."

The project is on a fast track with Andrew Gunn set to produce. Kerry Williamson provided the script and Michael Stokes did the latest rewrite. Avi Lerner, Trevor Short, Boaz Davidson, John Thompson and Mark Gill are on board as executive producers.

Cruise last graced big screen in action sci-fi "Edge of Tomorrow". He is attached to "Top Gun 2" which producer Jerry Bruckheimer said he had been developing for "30 years." The 52-year-old actor is also set to reprise his role as Ethan Hunt in "Mission: Impossible V".