Tom Cruise flashes his winning movie star smile before getting into character as an Eighties-era drug runner in the thriller Mena 

By Kayla Caldwell for MailOnline

Published: 15:33 EST, 1 June 2015 | Updated: 06:08 EST, 2 June 2015

Tom Cruise showed off a big smile as he was spotted on the Atlanta, Georgia set of his upcoming thriller Mena.

However, after a quick wardrobe change, the Oscar nominee looked a lot more serious as he filmed a tense scene in front of the set's Mena National Bank.

The 52-year-old is seen looking uneasy as he carries two money-filled suitcases while filming a covert drop-off scene for the Doug Liman-directed picture. 

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Sharing a smile: Tom Cruise showed off his pearly whites on the set of Mena in Atlanta, Georgia on Monday

Sharing a smile: Tom Cruise showed off his pearly whites on the set of Mena in Atlanta, Georgia on Monday

Tom sported a fitted, slate grey suit jacket, which was coupled with a bright red button down tucked into beige trousers.

He wore the fitted trousers with a brown, leather belt, and finished off his professional look with a pair of black leather loafers.

The action star hid his eyes behind a pair of sunglasses, and could be seen carrying two hard shell vintage suitcases.

A different tone: However, after a quick wardrobe change the star looked quite serious as he filmed a tense scene for the upcoming thriller 

A different tone: However, after a quick wardrobe change the star looked quite serious as he filmed a tense scene for the upcoming thriller 

Unloading: The action star unpacked two vintage suitcases for the scene which depicted a covert drop-off scene for the movie about drug smuggler Barry Seal

Unloading: The action star unpacked two vintage suitcases for the scene which depicted a covert drop-off scene for the movie about drug smuggler Barry Seal

Suit up: Tom sported a fitted, slate grey suit jacket, and a bright red button down tucked into beige trousers as he made his way up to the bank

Suit up: Tom sported a fitted, slate grey suit jacket, and a bright red button down tucked into beige trousers as he made his way up to the bank

Determined: The actor looked tense while filming the scenes in Atlanta, Georgia on Monday
Determined: The actor looked tense while filming the scenes in Atlanta, Georgia on Monday

Determined: The actor looked tense while filming the scenes in Atlanta, Georgia on Monday 

The Mission: Impossible actor sported a determined look on his face, as he was filmed unloading the suitcases from his car's trunk, and then carrying them up to the bank. 

Earlier shots from the day showed the actor looking a bit more relaxed as he sported a white button down worn, un-tucked, with the same pair of trousers and shoes.

He sported a wide grin in the photographs, as he was spotted making his way, once again, up to the Mena National Bank.

Laid-back: Tom looked a bit more casual earlier, sporting an un-tucked white button down, coupled with the same pair of beige trousers 

Laid-back: Tom looked a bit more casual earlier, sporting an un-tucked white button down, coupled with the same pair of beige trousers 

Another day, another case: The 52-year-old was seen transporting another two suitcases in another scene

Another day, another case: The 52-year-old was seen transporting another two suitcases in another scene

Action man: Cruise was seen booting a door as he held the retro cases in his hands

Action man: Cruise was seen booting a door as he held the retro cases in his hands

Tom portrays U.S. drug smuggler Barry Seal in the new film Mena, which is set for release in 2017.

Seal transported contraband for the CIA and the Medellin cartel, making trips to Mexico and the city Mena, Arkansas in the 1980s.

The illegal activity is thought to have all occurred under the noses of Ronald Reagan, George Bush and then-Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton.

Seal owned and operated many planes as part of his smuggling efforts and began flying at the young age of 15.

He's loving the crew: Tom smiled as he chatted away with members of the production crew

He's loving the crew: Tom smiled as he chatted away with members of the production crew

Feeling himself: Cruise placed one hand on his thigh as he waited for his cue to get into character

Feeling himself: Cruise placed one hand on his thigh as he waited for his cue to get into character

On October 5, 1986, a Sandinista patrol in Nicaragua is said to have shot down Seal's C-123K cargo plane.

He was eventually killed at the age of 46 by Medellin Cartel assassins in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Sarah Wright also stars in the film, and will play a former homecoming queen-turned-homemaker who in the beginning is completely unaware of the exploits of her husband.

The film is expected to be released on January 6, 2017. 

The heat is on: An actor dressed as a sheriff was spotted nearby in the scene as the troublesome drop-off was filmed

The heat is on: An actor dressed as a sheriff was spotted nearby in the scene as the troublesome drop-off was filmed

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