Will Tom Cruise voice a villain in 'Shrek Goes Fourth'?

After Tom Cruise got major acclaim for playing a hilarious, obnoxious troll-shaped movie producer in "Tropic Thunder,"  the actor may be getting serious about a comedy career.

He's reportedly in talks to star in "The Hardy Men," a comedy, with Ben Stiller.

Now comes a rumor (yes, only a rumor) that Cruise is being considered as one of the voices in the new "Shrek Goes Fourth," along with Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy, that's due out in 2010.

Well, it may finally be time to replan his action-hero career. He's getting a bit long in the tooth to keep running around in yet another "Mission Impossible." And we certainly don't look forward to seeing him in yet another dreary drama like the upcoming "Valkyrie" or his previous box office bomb, "Lions for Lambs."

Word from author Douglas Preston is that Cruise has picked up "Monster of Florence" film rights and will decide if he wants to star in it. He'd probably be very good playing Preston's role.

I just started reading this nonfiction book last night on my Kindle, and it's really, really creepy. The real monster serial killer is said to have been an inspiration for the fictional "Silence of the Lambs" murderer Hannibal Lecter. Brrrr..

Personally I think Tom would be hilarious as a "Shrek" evil ogre or a creepy villain. 'Cause he already scares the wits out of me when he goes all Thetan.

What do you think? Should Tom start playing it for laughs? Or just mix it up a bit?

Photo: WireImage