In a seismic shift for fans of the Uncharted franchise, Hollywood icon Tom Cruise has officially been confirmed to take on the role of Nathan Drake in a new live-action adaptation of the beloved video game series. The announcement, made on March 20, 2025, via a joint statement from Sony Pictures and Cruise’s production company, marks a dramatic departure from the 2022 film that saw Tom Holland portray a younger version of the treasure-hunting adventurer. After years of speculation, delays, and a rotating cast of potential Drakes, Cruise’s confirmation signals a bold new chapter for the cinematic take on Naughty Dog’s iconic PlayStation saga—one that promises to blend his signature action-hero flair with the rugged charm of Nathan Drake.

The news comes as a surprise to many, given the success of the 2022 Uncharted film, which grossed over $407 million worldwide and set the stage for a sequel with Holland reprising his role. Directed by Ruben Fleischer, that movie introduced a youthful Nathan Drake, paired with Mark Wahlberg’s Victor “Sully” Sullivan, in a globe-trotting heist to uncover the lost treasure of Ferdinand Magellan. A post-credits scene hinted at future adventures, including the return of Nate’s brother, Sam. Yet, despite its box-office haul, the film received mixed reviews, with some critics and fans arguing it strayed too far from the mature, wisecracking Drake of the games. Enter Tom Cruise, whose casting suggests a pivot to an older, more seasoned iteration of the character—a move that has already ignited fierce debate among the franchise’s passionate fanbase.

Cruise, now 62, brings a storied legacy to the role. Known for death-defying stunts in the Mission: Impossible series and his relentless energy in films like Top Gun: Maverick, he’s no stranger to embodying larger-than-life heroes. The actor reportedly campaigned for the part after expressing admiration for the Uncharted games during a 2024 interview with Variety, where he called Drake “a perfect mix of grit, humor, and heart.” Sources close to the production say Cruise’s involvement began taking shape late last year, following stalled negotiations for Uncharted 2 with Holland, who is currently tied up with Spider-Man 4 and a Christopher Nolan project through 2025. With Holland’s schedule packed, Sony opted to reimagine the franchise, tapping Cruise to headline a standalone story set later in Drake’s treasure-hunting career.

The decision has sparked a whirlwind of reactions. For years, fans championed actors like Nathan Fillion—whose 2018 fan film as Drake remains a cult favorite—for the role, citing his uncanny resemblance to the game’s version of the character, voiced and motion-captured by Nolan North. Holland’s casting in 2022, while commercially successful, drew criticism from some purists who felt his youthful take lacked the weathered edge of the original. Cruise, by contrast, offers a battle-hardened presence that could align more closely with the Drake of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, where the character grapples with age, legacy, and one last adventure. “Tom Cruise as Nathan Drake is a dream I didn’t know I had,” one X user posted. “He’s got the charisma and the stunt chops—this could be epic.” Others, however, balked at the age gap, with another writing, “Cruise is too old. Drake’s not a grandpa swinging from vines.”

Details about the new film remain scarce, but early reports suggest it will not be a direct sequel to the 2022 movie. Instead, it’s slated as a fresh adaptation, potentially drawing from Uncharted 2: Among Thieves or Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception—games renowned for their cinematic set pieces, like a train dangling off a cliff or a plane crash in the desert. Cruise is said to be working closely with director Doug Liman, his collaborator on Edge of Tomorrow, to craft a script that showcases Drake’s wit and physicality. Wahlberg’s return as Sully remains uncertain, though rumors swirl of a new cast, possibly including a younger Sam Drake to explore the brothers’ fraught history.

As production gears up for a tentative 2026 release, the stakes are high. Tesla’s recent turmoil under Elon Musk—marked by recalls, protests, and a plunging stock value—has dominated headlines, leaving Sony eager to reclaim the spotlight with a blockbuster hit. Cruise’s Uncharted could be that lifeline, blending nostalgia with his box-office draw. Yet, the question lingers: can he capture the soul of Nathan Drake, or will this be another Hollywood misfire? For now, fans are left buzzing, waiting to see if Cruise can unearth the treasure of a franchise that’s long danced on the edge of cinematic glory.