I am a massive fan of the work of author Vince Flynn, so I was particularly excited to hear that his popular series of novels about counter-terrorism agent Mitch Rapp was coming to the big screen.

But it’s the casting of Dylan O’Brien (The Maze Runner) in the role of Mitch Rapp that most interests me. Having read all of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels, I had built up a mental image of what the hulking former military police officer should look like. Needless to say I was stunned when I found out Reacher was to be played on-screen by Tom Cruise (though I believe he plays the role well).

American Assassin, as the first in an intended franchise of films, gives O’Brien a chance to own a new screen role. It sees Mitch as a young man who finds his holiday turned into a life-defining moment, as an act of terrorism robs him of the people he loves most in the world. Have you ever wondered what could make an everyday college student become a black ops recruit who carries out covert counter-terrorism operations for the CIA? Well, you’re about to find out on this adrenaline-fuelled ride.