First Photo of Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher

There really isn't much to see, and it certainly doesn't convey any information about how the actor is portraying the role, but the first image of Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher has been released (via EW, right; click for larger image). The photo also shows Reacher's one and only possession, a 1970 Chevelle SS.

Adapted from the novel One Shot by Lee Child, the now titled Jack Reacher is directed by Christopher McQuarrie — who also penned the screenplay — and is scheduled to open in theaters December 21st, 2012.

We don't believe an official synopsis has been released by the studio, but here's the plotline from the book; the action in the film takes place in Pittsburgh:

Six shots. Five dead. One heartland city thrown into a state of terror. But within hours the cops have it solved: a slam-dunk case. Except for one thing. The accused man says: You got the wrong guy. Then he says: Get Reacher for me.

And sure enough, ex–military investigator Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise) is coming. He knows this shooter—a trained military sniper who never should have missed a shot. Reacher is certain something is not right—and soon the slam-dunk case explodes.

Now Reacher is teamed with a beautiful young defense lawyer (Rosamund Pike), moving closer to the unseen enemy who is pulling the strings. Reacher knows that no two opponents are created equal. This one has come to the heartland from his own kind of hell. And Reacher knows that the only way to take him down is to match his ruthlessness and cunning—and then beat him shot for shot.