Concept art for the "Oblivion" illustrated novel.

Since CBR News last reported on the plans for Radical Entertainment's "Oblivion" last summer, the proposed illustrated novel-turned-feature film from "TRON Legacy" director Joseph Kosinski has jumped through some big time Hollywood hoops. But today, it looks as though the project may find purchase thanks to one of the biggest stars in the world.

Deadline is reporting that "Oblivion" -planned to be written for publishing by Kosinski and comics scribe Arvid Nelson and drawn by Andree Wallin - will be adapted by Universal pictures with actor Tom Cruise in the lead role. The project rights were previously held by Disney after a much publicized bidding war, however the House of Mouse let them go earlier this year. After Universal's pickup, Cruise's involvement is another strong sign the film will make it to screen. Currently, the initial William Monahan script for the project is being rewritten by Karl Gajdusek while Radical theoretically prepares the final book.

Last summer during Comic-Con International, Kosinski described the project to CBR News saying, "I first came up with the concept when I moved from New York to Los Angeles. I was inspired by old sci-fi models like "The Twilight Zone" to find an emotional, dramatic story that would raise interesting questions and play with perspective.

"The main character, Jak, is an ex-soldier who works as a drone repairman on this barren planet. He fixes the drones that patrol the surface looking to destroy what's left of the Scavengers, a savage alien race. Jak has a partner, Vika, who's a by the book kind of career officer and she works as his "eye-in-the-sky," scanning for damaged drones and monitoring Scavenger activity. One day, Jak comes across a spacecraft that's crashed, and inside he finds this mysterious woman in "deltasleep." He rescues her from the Scavengers and takes her back to their Skytower, which is high above the clouds. When the woman wakes up, her story turns their lives upside down and sends each of them on an adventure of self-discovery."

For more on the movie deal, check Deadline and stay tuned to CBR and Spinoff Online for more on "Oblivion" as it becomes available.