Back in May, we learned the glorious news that Tom Cruise is returning for Jack Reacher 2, re-teaming with The Last Samurai director Ed Zwick for the action sequel. Things have been quiet since then, but a new report reveals that Cruise and Zwick will begin filming the sequel sooner than you may have assumed.

THR reports that the duo will head into production on Jack Reacher 2 this November, with Paramount targeting a 2016 release date. Last we heard, Zwick and producer Marshall Herskovitz were working on writing a new draft of Richard Wenk’s previous screenplay. The films are based on Lee Child’s famous literary hero, who appears in 19 novels (the 20th hits shelves this September) — the first film was based on the ninth book, One Shot, in which Reacher’s retired military policeman teams up with a defense attorney (Rosamund Pike) to exonerate her client in a series of sniper attacks.

The sequel will reportedly be based on the 18th novel, Never Go Back. Here’s the description:

Former military cop Jack Reacher makes it all the way from snowbound South Dakota to his destination in northeastern Virginia, near Washington, D.C.: the headquarters of his old unit, the 110th MP. The old stone building is the closest thing to a home he ever had. Reacher is there to meet — in person — the new commanding officer, Major Susan Turner, so far just a warm, intriguing voice on the phone. But it isn’t Turner behind the CO’s desk. And Reacher is hit with two pieces of shocking news, one with serious criminal consequences, and one too personal even to think about.

The first film was written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie, who also wrote and directed Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation. It’s a little disappointing that McQuarrie won’t be returning for Jack Reacher 2, since his dialogue was part of what made that film so special.

But the sequel is in good hands with Cruise and Zwick, and we’ll get to see Jack Reacher kick some ass again in 2016.

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