Spielberg, Cruise do 'War of the Worlds'

LONDON, March 18 (UPI) -- Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise are working on a new version of H.G. Wells' sci-fi classic "The War of the Worlds."

Cruise is expected to play the lead role in "War," based on Wells' 1898 novel set in London about a Martian invasion of Earth. In 1938, Orson Welles and others presented a radio version that caused a national panic in the United States because many listeners thought they were hearing about an actual alien invasion.

"War," which would be directed by Spielberg, might begin production in late 2005, Variety said. David Koepp, who wrote the "Jurassic Park" and "Spider-Man" screenplays, will do the "War" book.