Merton is set to star on the big screen next week when Hollywood blockbuster Jack Reacher hits cinemas.

The thriller, which stars none other than Tom Cruise, filmed high-octane location scenes at Old Rutlishians Cricket Club in Merton Park in June.

As we reported at the time, leading man Cruise flew in by helicopter and was photographed before being whisked off in a BMW.

Most of the film’s London scenes were shot inside Wimbledon studios but the crew found they didn’t need to go far when it came to finding a location.

FilmFixer manages Merton Council’s film office. Its director Karen Everett said: “We’re not allowed to tell you much about the scenes filmed in Merton. Suffice to say, there’s a villain who’s surrounded, and an altercation follows.

“Make no mistake, though, this was a proper couple of days of Hollywood-style filming – right here in Merton. The shoot involved two truck mounted platforms, generators, and 100 cast and crew. 

“If it’s good enough for Tom Cruise – it must be pretty good. We’ve always said there’s no need to drive – or fly – all the way to central London for outside locations. Merton is a perfect example – with ample underground parking, village architecture, council estates, high streets and open fields – all on the doorstep of the studios.”

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back is based on the massively successful novels by Lee Child and sees Cruise’s Reacher team up with Cobie Smulders to get to the bottom of a conspiracy while pursued by the army, government, FBI and mysterious thugs. It is released on Friday (October 21).