PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) – We haven’t seen this much buzz for a Pittsburgh filmed movie since “Dark Knight Rises.” The new Tom Cruise film “Jack Reacher” will be released this week, and Pittsburgh looks amazing in it.

The movie is based on the book “One Shot,” which is part of the “Jack Reacher” series by Lee Childs, and Childs couldn’t say enough about how great it was to film the movie in the ‘Burgh.

“Pittsburgh has added a lot to the movie. There’s a kind of buzz and energy that can only come from working there,” Childs said.

KDKA-AM’s Larry Richert talks to Childs about the new film and working with Tom Cruise, whom he hadn’t met until filming started in Pittsburgh. Not only did the two hit it off, but they fell in love with Pittsburgh.

In fact, Cruise enjoyed working in Pittsburgh so much that he wanted the U.S. premier of the film to be here, with a glitzy red carpet opening. However, that premiere was postponed in light of the Newtown school shootings, and will now be scaled down to a midweek viewing with no red carpet.

Despite the diminished treatment, Childs says that Cruise really wants  to be here for the premiere as a thank you for how great he was treated while in town, and will personally greet movie goers at tonight’s premiere.

“He was desperate to get back to Pittsburgh, just to say thank you guys for four great months,” Childs said.

“Jack Reacher” opens nationally on Friday.