(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Tom Cruise is "very sensitive" to his casting in his latest movie.

The Hollywood actor is playing Jack Reacher in the film adaptation of Lee Childs' novel One Shot. Jack is a former US Army Military Police Major and famed for his statuesque 6ft 5in frame.

Tom is sizably smaller than his character, and the star is aware of the physical differences.

"Firstly, I'm very sensitive to it. This is Lee's book and Lee's character. Him giving me his blessing is what made me do it. If he hadn't then I wouldn't have done it," he told Empire.

"Lee told me that the reason he wrote him that size [6'5"] is because that was just one element to his character, and that opened the door to me playing him."

Despite his early reservations, Tom is looking forward to playing the high-octane role. The 49-year-old is in awe of his no-nonsense character.

"Reacher is such a great character. He doesn't have a cell phone, he doesn't have email. He's off the grid. He pays for things in cash," he explained.

"People look at things through the prism of the colours of their life but Jack Reacher does things the way we want to sometimes. In that sense he's sort of Dirty Harry, a James Bond, a Josey Wales."

One Shot picks up following an incident in a quiet heartland city where five people are shot dead by an expert sniper.

A man is accused, but insists he is innocent.

Jack Reacher becomes involved and sets about trying to find out if the suspect is telling the truth. (C) Cover Media