NEW YORK: Paramount  has renamed Tom Cruise's next film, opting for "Jack Reacher" in place of "One Shot."

Reacher is the name of Cruise's character, who is the protagonist in a series of novels by Lee Child. The title change suggests the studio may see franchise potential.

This particular movie is based on Child's "One Shot," hence the initial cinematic title.

Cruise's Reacher is an ex-service member who must unravel the mystery of a sniper who stands accused of killing five people. The project also stars Richard Jenkins, Rosamund Pike, Robert Duvall and director Werner Herzog.

Paramount had already moved up the film from a February release to its current December 21 slot. -- AGENCIES