BATON ROUGE – Tom Cruise is fascinated by notorious local drug runner Barry Seal's life.

Cruise opened up about his role in the upcoming movie about Seal in an interview with People. Seal, an informant and associate of Colombian drug lords, was assassinated at a halfway house in 1986 off Airline Highway after agreeing to testify at a trial related to smuggling operations.

“...You can’t help but be utterly fascinated by [Seal's life],” Cruise told the magazine in a story published recently.

“One of my favorite authors is Mark Twain, and Seal reminds me of one of his characters,” Cruise said. (There is another Baton Rouge connection there, too. Twain sailed the Mississippi and always took issue with the Old State Capitol – calling it “Pathetic.” The Advocate highlighted Twain's history with the building earlier this year. Read it HERE.)

Also earlier this year, producers released the trailer for the movie about Seal – called American Made. The trailer does not specifically reference Baton Rouge or Seal's killing.  It's not clear from the trailer if the city or the assassination will have a role in the film.  

Click HERE to see the trailer and read more about the movie.

American Made premieres September 29.  

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