how old is tom cruise in legend

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How old was Tom Cruise in the movie Legend?

Tom Cruise was 22 in Legend when he played the character 'Jack'.

That was over 39 years ago in 1985.

Today he is 61 , and has starred in 86 movies in total, 74 of those since Legend was released.

How old do you think he looks in the movie?

In Legend, I think Tom Cruise looks:

Did you know?

• Director Ridley Scott has worked with Tom Cruise just once in his career.
• Tom Cruise's first movie was as 'Billy' in Endless Love, released in 1981 when he was 18
• Legend scores 6.27 out of 10 on TMDB .

The cast of Legend

Tom Cruise's other movies

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Legend: how the tom cruise and tim curry fantasy movie became a cult classic.

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Every Ridley Scott Movie Ranked From Worst To Best (Including House of Gucci)

10 best world war ii documentaries, 6 best fantasy movies of 2024.

• Legend, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Tom Cruise, is a unique cult classic fantasy film that stands out in both their filmographies.
• Despite being a box office flop, the film gained its cult status through its stunning visuals and the exceptional performance of Tim Curry as the Lord of Darkness.
• The director's cut of Legend, released in 2002, with its different ending and original score, helped solidify its cult classic status by offering a morally gray narrative and questioning the concepts of good and evil.

While a number of '80s movies have become cult classics, one of the more curious films to receive such status is the 1985 film Legend starring Tom Cruise. Directed by Ridley Scott, Legend is an epic fantasy adventure film that follows a young man named Jack (Tom Cruise) who must confront and defeat the Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry) as he plans to curse the entire world with eternal night by killing all the unicorns in this realm and taking their horns. Along the way, Jack encounters various creatures and a princess named Lili (Mia Sara).

After he made Alien , Scott wanted to make a fairytale film. He teamed up with author William Hjortsberg and the two worked closely together for five weeks on the first draft of what would become Legend . Soon after, Scott started principal photography on his iconic sci-fi film Blade Runner (via Starburst Magazine ). By the time Scott had completed Blade Runner , he and Hjortsberg went through 15 drafts before settling on what would serve as the official Legend script. And while Legend may not be nearly as popular as either Alien or Blade Runner , it had enough unique aspects that allowed the Tom Cruise fantasy adventure to become a cult classic.

Ridley Scott is one of Hollywood's most influential sci-fi directors; from Exodus to Alien, here's every one of his movies ranked from worst to best.

The Only Fantasy Film Ridley Scott and Tom Cruise Worked On

Part of why Legend became a cult classic is that it stands out in both Ridley Scott's and Tom Cruise's catalog, serving as the only fantasy film either has worked on. While some of Scott's films have fantastical elements, most notably his biblical epic Exodus: Gods and Kings , Legend is the only pure fantasy movie that Scott has directed. Considering that a lot of Scott's filmography consists of high-concept science fiction movies, big-budget historical action epics, intense crime dramas, or horror films, something like Legend completely stands out. The uniqueness of this kind of movie in a filmography like Ridley Scott's makes it worth seeking out.

Similarly, Legend is the only pure fantasy movie that Tom Cruise has starred in. While it can be argued that his reboot of The Mummy has fantastical elements in it, like Scott, he has never again worked on a pure fantasy film. Cruise's filmography primarily consists of either high-adrenaline action movies like Top Gun: Maverick or Mission: Impossible , science fiction films like Oblivion or Edge of Tomorrow , or artistic character dramas like Eyes Wide Shut or A Few Good Men . Therefore, like Scott, Tom Cruise being in a film like Legend is a reason why it is appealing.

Legend Bombed At The Box Office

Like many other movies that become cult classics, Legend was a flop — Tom Cruise's only real box office bomb . The film had a $25 million dollar budget and only made a worldwide total of about $23.5 million despite having been the number one movie at the box office for two weeks when it was released in 1985 (via The Numbers ). The fact that Legend performed so poorly at the box office could be a big reason why neither Scott nor Cruise attempted to make another fantasy movie. However, regardless of how it did financially, Legend eventually gained its cult status when it was seen on home video.

Legend Was Poorly Received Despite Some Positives Aspects

Legend received mostly negative reviews, with criticisms of it being incoherent, messy, and overall lacking a sense of identity or purpose. Roger Ebert described Legend as "... a movie that has no clear idea of its own mission and no joy in its own accomplishment ." (via RogerEbert.com ) Ebert's TV partner and fellow critic, Gene Siskel, was even harsher towards Scott's fantasy film, stating " I don't want to remember any more about Legend than to make sure I include it in my 'worst films of 1986' list and never rent it when it comes out as a video cassette ." (via Chicago Tribune )

However, even the harshest critics cannot deny some admirable aspects of Legend as many of the positive reviews praise the film for its gorgeous visuals. Through a combination of the cinematography, set pieces, and most importantly the makeup effects, Legend was dazzling to look at. Several critics stated that Legend 's visuals and makeup prosthetics alone were enough reasons to see it. A big reason why the movie had such great makeup effects is because of the involvement of makeup effects artist Rob Bottin, who is best known for his work on films like The Howling , Robocop , and The Thing .

Tim Curry Gave A Great Performance

Another aspect of Legend that even the biggest detractors praised was Tim Curry's performance as the Lord of Darkness. Despite only appearing in the last 20 minutes and heavily covered with makeup and prosthetics, Curry received much acclaim for truly embodying this evil, sadistic character and has been cited by many as the best part of the movie. While Curry has played similar types of villains and creatures before, he is completely unrecognizable as Darkness and gives a hugely entertaining yet thoroughly terrifying performance.

The Director's Cut Helped Legend Become A Cult Classic

Similar to the multiple director's cuts that Blade Runner received , a big reason why Legend became a cult classic is the unrated Director's Cut released in 2002. There are two main differences between Legend 's theatrical and director's cut, and the first is that the latter offers a more bittersweet ending in which Jack and Lili go their separate ways instead of riding off into the sunset. The other big change is that the Legend director's cut uses the original Jerry Goldsmith score that was kept in for European audiences rather than the music by Tangerine Dream, Jon Anderson, and Brian Ferry that was in the US theatrical release (via Cinefantastique ).

Overall, while the theatrical cut provides a more clear-cut, good vs. evil story, the Legend director's cut provides a more morally gray narrative. In the director's cut, the ideas about good and evil are consistently questioned as the protagonists are flawed individuals who make mistakes and may not be the pure embodiment of good, but will still rise to the occasion at the end of the day. In the same vein that Blade Runner became a cult classic when an improved version of the movie became available, Legend received a similar status and praise for doing the same.

RETRO REVIEW: Legend Is a Cult Classic Movie for Tom Cruise Fans

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The 1985 fantasy-adventure film Legend had everything going for it. Ridley Scott had made his mark with The Duellists , then turned to science fiction with the Academy Award-winning Alien and the multiple versions of Blade Runner , before aiming at fantasy filmmaking. Tom Cruise had just finished football drama All the Right Moves and was a year away from mega-star status thanks to Top Gun . With tremendous talent in front of and behind the camera, Legend felt like a sure thing.. until it wasn't.

With special effects wizard Rob Bottin ( Robocop ) burying actors beneath prosthetics and Oscar-nominated production designer Assheton Gorton ( The French Lieutenant’s Woman ) creating this world from the ground up, Legend certainly looks amazing. Cinematographer Alex Thomson is also no stranger to fantasy, having been Oscar-nominated for his work on Excalibur . All that creativity, plus an immense amount of money and time, amounts to something -- even if it's not commercial success. Rather, Legend became a cult hit and it deserves all of the appreciation that's been lobbed on it since.

Tim Curry is the True Star of Legend

Curry's Performance as Darkness Stands Out

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Tim Curry is the centerpiece around which Legend revolves. A preening, elegant and animalistic creation, his eight-foot-tall villain Darkness is an example of great 1980's practical movie effects . Curry -- encased in a full-body prosthetic -- creates an oppressive presence that dominates Legend from the shadows. Cloven hoofs, manicured talons, and a rich baritone distinguish this denizen of the underworld from the innocence above, while the actor towers over his co-stars. Even though Darkness only appears in the later part of Legend , Curry's performance is the most memorable. He elevates overly elaborate pantomime villainy to legendary status.

When Legend was released in 1985, Curry was best known as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in Frankenstein -inspired The Rocky Horror Picture Show , both on stage and on screen. There is no denying the theatrical element that comes through in his portrayal of Darkness, yet there is nothing camp or melodramatic about it. In fact, considering Legend is in a genre that has traditionally aimed at children, he certainly scares audiences by giving them something grotesque. This shocking difference is hammered home in the film's final act, when animal sacrifice and devil worship throw Legend into freefall. But Curry overshadows Cruise, both literally and figuratively.

Tom Cruise Makes an Early Impression - By Not Making One

Legend undersells cruise's hero character jack, 10 best tom cruise movies (that aren’t mission: impossible films).

Mission: Impossible is a juggernaut franchise in Hollywood, but Tom Cruise has starred in many other fantastic movies.

The true test of any actor is their ability to make an impression. Legend pushes that idea to breaking point with Tom Cruise, who does less than zero throughout the film. Scott captures him amid pollen with glitter glistening on his skin opposite an equally perfect Mia Sara, and the heightened lovefest between their characters Jack and Lili lasts throughout the movie. Nothing more is asked of Cruise acting-wise, apart from the occasional action sequence; Legend is far from the best Tom Cruise performance .

However, there still are glimpses of the movie star he would become. Cruise has an on-screen presence that is impossible to mimic. He may not make a wonderful impression like other fantasy movie heroes, but he walks away from Legend almost unscathed. That's impressive, since at one point he faces off against a towering Tim Curry wrapped in bright red skin and brandishing a broadsword. Less than a year after Legend , Cruise was winning over film audiences as Lt. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in Top Gun -- proving how much bigger he was than any one movie.

Legend's Uneven Story Kept It From Being a Box Office Hit

The film has a number of production flaws, ridley scott's 10 best movies according to rotten tomatoes.

Ridley Scott’s latest movie, The Last Duel, has reminded audiences of how consistent Scott’s work has been over the years.

There is no denying that Legend lacks a story of any substance . There is so little for audiences to hang onto dramatically that the movie soon becomes an exercise in artistic appreciation. Scenes either feel stretched out too long or lack meaningful dialogue, and writer William Hjortsberg ( Angel Heart ) turns every fairy exchange into rhyming couplets that soon become distracting. But that's not the only way in which the movie wanders off in its own direction -- feeling more like an arthouse film than anything else.

Between the endless shots of Lili running in slow motion, or Jack breaking through sheet ice as the world is plunged into darkness, Legend loses its way. Moments of visual genius are overshadowed by artistic overindulgence, meaning that scenes simply do not work. Whether the fact that the movie's primary set burned down affected the finished product is up for debate, but Legend suffers from tonal inconsistency throughout. Thankfully, Bottin and his team of visual effects boffins manage to turn this turgid trifle into a cult classic, thanks to some groundbreaking techniques.

How Did Legend Become a Cult Classic?

The movie's makeup and effects save the day, 11 most underrated fantasy movies.

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From another cult hit in John Carpenter's The Thing to winning an Oscar for Total Recall , Rob Bottin has elevated every movie he touches. In the case of Legend , he designed, implemented, and engineered some of the most intricate practical effects ever seen on film. He was rewarded for his efforts with another Academy Award nomination in the Best Makeup category. Beyond the creation of Darkness, Bottin also brought to life another creature ripped from the pages of a fairy tale nightmare called Meg Mucklebones, played by future Star Trek fan-favorite Robert Picardo.

Encountered by Jack on his way to the underworld, Meg is a marvel of prosthetic make-up and hydraulic invention. Buried beneath this terrifying disguise, Picardo embraces his inner swamp monster. Gnarled, nasty and after a tasty morsel, Meg Mucklebones is the perfect combination of visual effects and acting prowess. Her leering over her intended victim surrounded by a putrid bog is one of the most powerful moments in this disjointed movie.

There is no doubting the ambition behind Legend , which oddly falls between Blade Runner and Someone to Watch Over Me in Scott's filmography . Legend has some of the most impressive visuals Ridley Scott has ever shaped -- including towering trees, woodland glades and awe-inspiring set designs. Those who helped create its world -- including Bottin, Thomson, Gorton and composer Jerry Goldsmith -- made something truly dazzling. Legend might be flawed, but there are elements that shine through the visual distractions, wafer-thin plotline and overly engineered acting. Hiding therein are moments of sheer filmmaking genius. With numerous cuts to choose from and an endless array of interpretations to draw from them, Legend is the cult classic that keeps giving.

In a fantastical realm, a young hero embarks on a quest to rescue a princess and recover the last of the unicorns from a malevolent figure who seeks to plunge the world into eternal night. Joined by allies from the forest, he confronts dark forces in an epic battle to restore balance to the land.

• Tim Curry's performance carries the film.
• Excellent makeup and visual effects throughout.
• Stunning production design and superior score.
• A less impressive performance by Tom Cruise.
• Thinly-drawn story and uneven pacing.

Movie Reviews

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Recent movies have created sort of a generic fantasy universe of Muppets and swamps, strange beasts and evil tyrants, damsels and heroic lads, and ancient prophecies and mythical legends. It's a world inspired by ingredients from "Lord of the Rings," the "Star Wars" movies, Dungeons and Dragons gamesmanship, tales of King Arthur and the latest gimmicks from the special-effects people.

In a movie that works, these ingredients can be exciting and delightful. "Legend" does not work.

The movie is a British big-budget, special-effects extravaganza by Ridley Scott , the director of " Alien ." It tells of a time long, long ago, when unicorns roam the Earth and the powers of light and darkness are at war. An evil prince named Darkness lives in caverns far beneath the Earth, scheming to blot the sun out of the lives of all the planet's creatures and to rule the gloom forever.

Earth itself is a sylvan place, filled with flowers and little glades and grassy clearings - but also with dread swamps and moldy fens. Young lovers can kiss for an afternoon in a bath of sunshine, but fearsome storms come up suddenly and lash the land with their fury. A race of evil little druids lives in the woods, and they spread mischief wherever they venture. Their favorite pastime is frightening the unicorns.

Into this setting come our heroes, Jack and Lili. Jack ( Tom Cruise ) is a hero whose mission in life is to vanquish Darkness and allow the sun to prevail. Lili ( Mia Sara ) is the young woman he meets and falls in love with, but she is lured into the underworld and seduced by an exotic priestess into seemingly becoming evil. Will Jack save Lili and defeat Darkness? Or will the movie end unhappily? Can we vote more than once? Let it be said that "Legend" is an impressive technical achievement. Scott is a perfectionist who takes infinite pains to make things look right.

The problem is, the world of "Legend" is itself wrong for this material. To some degree, this is a fairy tale, and it needs a certain lightness of tone, a plucky cheerfulness, to work. Like many recent sword and sorcery movies, it is so effective in rendering evil, so good at depicting the dire, bleak fates facing the heroes, that it's too dreary and gloomy for its own good.

Performances tend to get lost in productions like this. I particularly noticed how easily Cruise got buried in the role of Jack.

Here is the talented young actor from " Risky Business ," where he came across as a genuine individual, and this time he's so overwhelmed by sets and special effects that his character could be played by anybody.

Tim Curry , from " The Rocky Horror Picture Show ," makes an effective Darkness; I liked his style. But, once again, the makeup people have done such a good job with his blazing eyes and gigantic horns that, in a way, almost any actor could be lurking inside there (only Curry's sensuous lips give him away).

Despite all its sound and fury, "Legend" is a movie I didn't care very much about. All of the special effects in the world, and all of the great makeup, and all of the great Muppet creatures can't save a movie that has no clear idea of its own mission and no joy in its own accomplishment.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

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Legend (1986)

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Directed by

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How Old Was Tom Cruise in Legend

Tom Cruise is a Hollywood superstar known for his roles in blockbuster movies such as Top Gun, Mission: Impossible, and Jerry Maguire. One of his lesser-known but equally memorable films is Legend, a fantasy adventure film released in 1985. In Legend, Cruise plays the role of Jack, a young hero who must rescue a princess and prevent the Lord of Darkness from plunging the world into eternal night.

Many fans of Tom Cruise may be curious about his age when he starred in Legend. At the time of filming, Cruise was 23 years old. This was still relatively early in his career, as he had only appeared in a handful of movies before taking on the challenging role of Jack in Legend. Despite his young age, Cruise delivered a memorable performance that helped solidify his status as a rising star in Hollywood.

Here are 9 interesting facts about Tom Cruise and his role in Legend:

1. Physical Transformation: To prepare for his role in Legend, Tom Cruise underwent a physical transformation that included spending hours in the makeup chair to bring the character of Jack to life. His costume and makeup were elaborate and required significant time and effort to apply before each scene.

2. Stunt Work: Tom Cruise is known for performing many of his own stunts in action movies, and Legend was no exception. Cruise did much of his own stunt work in the film, including riding a horse and engaging in sword fights with the villainous characters.

3. Acting Challenges: Legend presented unique acting challenges for Tom Cruise, as much of the dialogue was delivered in a fantasy world with mythical creatures and magical elements. Cruise had to immerse himself in the world of the film and bring authenticity to his performance despite the fantastical setting.

4. Critical Reception: Legend received mixed reviews from critics upon its release, with some praising the film’s visuals and special effects while others criticized the plot and pacing. Despite the mixed reception, Tom Cruise’s performance was generally well-received, with many critics noting his charisma and screen presence.

5. Box Office Performance: Legend was not a commercial success at the box office, failing to recoup its production costs. However, the film has since developed a cult following and is remembered fondly by fans of fantasy and adventure movies.

6. Director’s Vision: Legend was directed by Ridley Scott, known for his work on films such as Blade Runner and Alien. Scott’s visual style and attention to detail are evident throughout Legend, with lush landscapes and intricate set designs that bring the fantasy world to life.

7. Co-Stars: In addition to Tom Cruise, Legend features a talented cast that includes Mia Sara as Princess Lily and Tim Curry as the Lord of Darkness. The chemistry between the actors helps to elevate the film and make the characters’ relationships feel authentic and engaging.

8. Legacy: Despite its initial lackluster performance, Legend has endured as a cult classic and is considered a hidden gem by many fans of fantasy cinema. Tom Cruise’s performance as Jack remains a standout in his filmography and showcases his versatility as an actor.

9. Continued Success: Following his role in Legend, Tom Cruise went on to star in a string of successful films that cemented his status as a Hollywood A-lister. Cruise’s career has spanned decades, and he continues to be a box office draw with his charismatic performances and action-packed roles.

In conclusion, Tom Cruise’s age when he starred in Legend was 23, and his performance in the film helped to establish him as a rising star in Hollywood. Despite the film’s mixed reception and box office performance, Legend remains a beloved cult classic that showcases Cruise’s talent as an actor. With his dedication to his craft and willingness to take on challenging roles, Tom Cruise has solidified his status as one of the most iconic actors of his generation.

Common Questions about Tom Cruise and Legend:

1. When was Legend released?

Legend was released in 1985.

2. Who directed Legend?

Legend was directed by Ridley Scott.

3. Who did Tom Cruise play in Legend?

Tom Cruise played the role of Jack in Legend.

4. How old was Tom Cruise when he starred in Legend?

Tom Cruise was 23 years old when he starred in Legend.

5. Who played the Princess in Legend?

Mia Sara played the role of Princess Lily in Legend.

6. Did Tom Cruise perform his own stunts in Legend?

Yes, Tom Cruise performed many of his own stunts in Legend.

7. What was the critical reception of Legend?

Legend received mixed reviews from critics upon its release.

8. Did Legend perform well at the box office?

Legend was not a commercial success at the box office.

9. What is Tom Cruise known for?

Tom Cruise is known for his roles in blockbuster movies such as Top Gun and Mission: Impossible.

10. What is Tom Cruise’s net worth?

Tom Cruise’s net worth is estimated to be around $570 million.

11. How many Mission: Impossible movies has Tom Cruise starred in?

Tom Cruise has starred in six Mission: Impossible movies.

12. What is Tom Cruise’s most iconic role?

Many consider Tom Cruise’s role as Maverick in Top Gun to be his most iconic.

13. Has Tom Cruise won any awards for his acting?

Yes, Tom Cruise has won several awards for his acting, including three Golden Globe Awards.

14. How many children does Tom Cruise have?

Tom Cruise has three children: Isabella, Connor, and Suri.

15. How tall is Tom Cruise?

Tom Cruise is 5 feet 7 inches tall.

16. What is Tom Cruise’s birth name?

Tom Cruise’s birth name is Thomas Cruise Mapother IV.

17. What other films has Tom Cruise starred in?

In addition to Legend, Tom Cruise has starred in films such as Risky Business, A Few Good Men, and Jerry Maguire.

In summary, Tom Cruise’s age when he starred in Legend was 23, and his performance in the film helped to establish him as a rising star in Hollywood. Despite the film’s mixed reception and box office performance, Legend remains a beloved cult classic that showcases Cruise’s talent as an actor. With his dedication to his craft and willingness to take on challenging roles, Tom Cruise has solidified his status as one of the most iconic actors of his generation.

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How Old Were the Actors?

Shows how old actors were when making a movie, how old they are now and whether or not they're alive., shows how old actors were when making a movie., what's the name of the movie.

Beautiful, interesting, incredible cinema.

In a fantastical forest, the pure-hearted Jack takes Princess Lili to watch the unicorns. But the Lord of Darkness captures the Princess and the unicorns, plunging the world into everlasting night. Jack must descend into the devilish creature’s underground lair to save the kingdom and his true love.

Three years after his iconic Blade Runner , prolific British filmmaker Ridley Scott directed this high-budget, special-effects extravaganza starring acting duo Tom Cruise and Mia Sara. A cherished cult movie, Legend is a gorgeously designed adventure into the most fantastical of universes.

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LEGEND (1985) Theatrical Version

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61 Fascinating Facts About Tom Cruise

1. Thomas Cruise Mapother IV  was born on July 3, 1962, in Syracuse, N.Y., to  Thomas Cruise Mapother III , an electrical engineer, and Mary Lee Pfeiffer , both of Louisville, Ky. (His grandfather and great-grandfather were both Thomas Cruise Mapother, as well.)

2. He has two older sisters, Lee Anne and Marian , and one younger sister, Catherine , nicknamed Cass. 

3. Cruise wanted to act from around the time he was 4 and started doing impressions of everyone from Donald Duck to Humphrey Bogart and Elvis Presley .

4. In 1974, when the family was living in Ottawa, Mary Lee packed up and took the kids back to Louisville. She officially divorced Tom III in August 1975 and, six weeks later, he remarried, briefly. Joan Lebendiger , recently widowed, had four kids, one of whom later told biographer Andrew Morton that they never saw their stepbrother Tom again after the wedding.

"As a kid, I had a lot of hidden anger about that. I'd get hit, and I didn't understand it," Cruise  recalled to  Vanity Fair  in 1994.

"He was the kind of guy who really got picked on a lot at school himself when he was growing up," he said of his father. "He had also been small, though he ended up being six foot two. People had been quite brutal to him. Inside, I believe he was a really sensitive individual." Tom III could also "actually be quite loving." 

But in 2006 he told Parade  that his dad was "a bully and a coward—the person where, if something goes wrong, they kick you. It was a great lesson in my life, how he'd lull you in, make you feel safe and then, bang!"

Cruise visited his father in the hospital before he died of cancer in 1984 and Tom III said he'd get better and they would "'talk about the whole thing,'" the actor told  VF , but that never came to pass.

5. Tom was very close to his mother, whom he described to James Lipton on Inside the Actors Studio   as "a very warm, charismatic woman, very kind, very generous." She worked four jobs at any given time to take care of them, and Tom had a paper route to pitch in. "Every night I'd come home, bathe my feet and sit in the family room, and Tom would massage my feet for a half-hour," Mary Lee recalled to Rolling Stone . (She died at 80 in 2017.)

6. He was also protective of his sisters and, as the man of the house, took on the role of scrutinizing their boyfriends when they'd come by to meet the family.

7. Cruise was raised Catholic and he spent his freshman year of high school at St. Francis Seminary in Cincinnati, after a priest named Father Ric Schneider gave a talk at his (also Catholic) school in Louisville. "He was a typical teenager, trying to find his way in life," Schneider told the New York Daily News in 2013. "We would give them an IQ test, and he just about made the cut. The cutoff is 110, and he scored exactly 110."

It's been rumored that Cruise considered entering the priesthood, but he doesn't it remember it that way. "We didn't have the money back then, and I went for the education for a year, and it was free," Cruise has explained.

8. Mary Lee got remarried to Jack South in 1978 and the whole family moved to New Jersey when Tom was 16.

"In the beginning, I felt threatened by my stepfather," Cruise told Rolling Stone . "There's a part of you that's in love with your mother. But he is such a wise, smart man. He loved my mother so much that he took us all in, four young people. We'd bet on football games, and he was a terrible bettor, so I'd make lots of money."

As for his dad, Tom III, who had recently passed away, "I think that he felt remorse for a lot that had happened. He was a person who did not have a huge influence on me in my teens; the values and motivation really came from my stepfather. But he was important. Really important. It's all sort of complex. There wasn't one thing I felt."

9. He was always a daredevil, jumping off things, riding his bike too fast, sometimes into walls and, here and there, breaking bones. In high school he joined the glee club and did plays. He was also an athlete, over the years dabbling in soccer, baseball, basketball, football and ice hockey, and he wrestled. Sports and acting were where he really stood out and, shocker, the ladies have loved him since grammar school.

"I was a wild kid," Cruise admitted. "I'd cut school. Everything had to do with my wanting always to push the envelope to see: where do I stand with myself? How far can I go?"

10. Cruise has been open about his battle with dyslexia, calling himself "a functional illiterate" in school, though he "loved learning. I wanted to learn, but I knew I had failed in the system."

"My energy was always all over the place. Reading was not at the top of my list, because it took me so long," he told Cameron Crowe for Interview in 1986. "When I wrote a paper, my mother would help me with it. I would take a test and get very nervous. I would skip questions and skip lines. I've gotten better. I've learned to control my eyes. I used to have to use my finger all the time. I just wasn't relaxed about it."

11. Senior year of high school he got kicked off the football team after he was caught drinking, according to Morton, but that left him time to audition for the school musical, Guys and Dolls . He played Nathan Detroit, and a commercial director who happened to catch a performance told him he should pursue acting professionally. So, he started going to New York on weekends to audition for musicals—and he missed his graduation ceremony while performing in an amateur production of Godspell .

12. Cruise made his movie debut in the 1981 drama Taps , in a role that was bigger than the one he was originally cast in "because you could see right away that he had a giant talent," former Paramount head Sherry Lansing said in Stephen Galloway 's 2017 biography Leading Lady . "He was always extremely focused and exceptionally polite."

13. On the set of Francis Ford Coppola 's The Outsiders , featuring a veritable who's-who of '80s-era heartthrobs , prankster Cruise scrawled "Helter Skelter" on co-star Diane Lane 's mirror and put honey on her toilet seat.

14. The only direction Cruise received for his iconic Risky Business dance to "Old Time Rock and Roll" was one line in the script: "Joel dances in underwear through the house." He ad-libbed the rest, grabbing the candlestick, "using it as a guitar, jumping on the table. I waxed half the floor and kept the other half dirty, so I could slide in on my socks. As we went along, I threw more stuff in," he shared with Crowe in 1986.

15. Cruise dated his Risky Business co-star Rebecca De Mornay , who called him a "pure person." She told Rolling Stone in 1986, "There's something earnest and virtuous about him that's quite rare." According to Taps co-star Sean Penn , they were out at a club in New York one night and after realizing that a girl he was talking to was trying to pick him up, Cruise "screamed at her, 'I have a girlfriend I'm in love with!'" (Perhaps at the time readers thought Penn might be exaggerating.) He and De Mornay started dating in the summer of 1983 and maintained a long-distance relationship while he shot Ridley Scott 's Legend in London, but broke up when he returned to the U.S. to start making Top Gun .

16. Top Gun producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson envisioned no one other than Cruise playing Maverick after they saw a magazine story about the elite flying school at San Diego's Miramar Naval Air Station and went down to see the hot shots in person. "From the first time we went down to Miramar—even before the script was written—we said, 'These guys are Tom Cruises,'" Bruckheimer told Rolling Stone .

17. Although Cruise also told Rolling Stone in 1986 that he wasn't sure he would be able to get married in his "present state of mind," he tied the knot with  Mimi Rogers on May 9, 1987, two years after meeting her at a dinner party. Emilio Estevez  was Cruise's best man.

18. Paul Newman , his co-star in 1987's The Color of Money , turned him on to race car driving and Cruise has been feeling the need for speed on land and in the air (and sometimes on the water) ever since. Years later the student became the teacher when, in 2010, Cruise taught Zac Efron  about motorcycles. "I don't know," Efron told Details when asked why Cruise offered to do that. "I don't even want to know. It's just so cool that he gave a s--t, the fact that he cared at all."

19. Mimi and her first husband, Jim Rogers , were both members of the Church of Scientology (Jim was a high-level auditor) and she's said to have introduced Cruise to the organization, giving him L. Ron Hubbard 's Dianetics and other literature. His immersion in Scientology coincided with the release of Top Gun and the actor becoming one of the biggest stars in the world, and to this day Cruise remains the most famous member of the church.

20. Despite being critically panned, 1988's Cocktail , starring Cruise as a playboy bartender, gave Disney its biggest opening weekend ever at the time: $11.8 million.

21. According to Morton's 2008 biography  Tom Cruise , director Oliver Stone wanted Tom to be injected with a chemical that would have rendered him temporarily paralyzed so he could better identify with the role of real-life Vietnam War veteran and activist Ron Kovic in 1989's  Born on the Fourth of July . The insurance company understandably shut that idea down. The film still won two Oscars, best editing and best director for Stone, so it worked out.

22. People named Cruise its "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1990. Soon after, he and Rogers divorced. When Vanity Fair  asked about his first marriage in 1994, Cruise replied tersely , "It was a long time ago. I really don't think about it."

23. Cruise met Nicole Kidman  during casting for the racing drama Days of Thunder and they tied the knot on Dec. 24, 1990. They adopted two children, Isabella and Connor , and starred in two more movies together, Far and Away and Eyes Wide Shut .

After Isabella arrived, Cruise told Vanity Fair in 1994 , "We talked about children from time to time, but there was always the work. But then we went, When is it ever going to be the right time? That's how the conversation started. You're lying in bed at night and you're trying to sleep, so you roll over and you go, What would happen if we had this in our life?

"One of the things that Nic and I talk about is that now suddenly we're a family. We're at that point where we're trying to define where we are. Can we still party? Are we really boring? Oh, my God . . . we're old!"

24. Disney had Cruise in mind when they created the look of the title character in 1992's Aladdin . "There's a confidence with all of his attitudes and his poses," lead animator Glen Keane said in a DVD extras feature.

25. An old tabloid go-to back in the 1980s and '90s was to claim that this or that star was gay, and Cruise was aware that the rumor was out there.

"First of all, I don't think it's an indictment," Cruise told Vanity Fair in 1994. "But I hadn't heard those rumors till about three months ago myself… I don't know why they say it. I've heard everything from I've cheated on my wife to my wife was there on the set of  The Firm  because she was pissed off about my love scene on the beach. It's not true, but people are going to say what they want to say."

26. Cruise wanted Brian De Palma to direct Mission: Impossible , which would mark his debut as a producer with his agent turned partner Paula Wagner , even though De Palma was in movie jail following several flops. Cruise even deferred his $20 million salary (not including his back-end deal) so they could raise the movie's budget. Mission accomplished: M:I made almost $500 million worldwide and spawned a franchise . De Palma, however, didn't attend the film's premiere in May 1996, reportedly because he and Cruise didn't always see eye to eye during production.

27. Shooting M:I , Cruise insisted they use a fan big enough to create the 120 mile-per-hour wind he'd be facing if he was really clinging to a bullet train while a helicopter exploded behind him. A crew member told Galloway, "He said, 'I want the wind blowing in my face and I want my jaws to be blowing.' That's Tom. He's a guy's guy."

28. The intense Eyes Wide Shut shoot was scheduled to last four months but ended up keeping Tom and Nicole in London for 18 months. Also during their time in England, as fate would have it, they attended Princess Diana 's funeral in September 1997, as did with Tom Hanks  and Steven Spielberg , who were in town making Saving Private Ryan .

29. "All I can say is that I hope we are together when we are 80," Nicole Kidman told  Talk  in 2000. "I can't say we will be, but I will be so devastated if we are not." Alas, they announced their separation on Feb. 5, 2001. "She knows why, and I know why," Cruise cryptically told Vanity Fair later that year. "She's the mother of my children, and I wish her well. And I think that you just move on. And I don't say that lightly. I don't say that with anything."

30. Penélope Cruz  successfully sued an Australian tabloid in June 2003, winning damages and a retraction over a story claiming she and then-boyfriend Cruise had postponed their impending marriage because she had cheated on him. They broke up in January 2004 after more than two years of dating, a source telling People the relationship "just ran its course."

31. The Church of Scientology denied a 2012 Vanity Fair report that Homeland actress Nazanin Boniadi , then a church member, had basically been recruited to date Cruise for a few months, starting in October 2004 with a group outing that included renting the skating rink at Rockefeller Center and dinner at Nobu. "I'd rather not talk about that," Boniadi told the New York Post in 2013.

32. Cruise specifically held out for J.J. Abrams to direct Mission: Impossible III —Abrams' feature film debut—after watching some episodes of Alias . Paramount was freaking out, wanting M:I3 for a summer 2005 tentpole release, which wasn't going to happen if Cruise and Abrams—busy at the moment with a show called Lost —got their way, but it turned out Cruise had an ace up his sleeve. Spielberg was ready to roll with War of the Worlds in time to give Paramount the summer blockbuster it needed while they waited for Abrams to become available.

33. On May 23, 2005, a giddy Cruise raised his arms in victory, got down on one knee and did a couple of fist pumps, and then jumped up on Oprah Winfrey 's couch (also twice), fueled by love for his new girlfriend, Katie Holmes . "You're gone," the talk show host observed.

"I've got so much energy, I can't help it," Cruise said.

They were both laughing hysterically and the studio audience was cheering, but… maybe you had to be there?

Lest anyone forget, Holmes was at the taping and Winfrey led a chant for her to come out. "She's gonna run!" Cruise exclaimed. "She is freaking out ." Then he took off for backstage to go get her, the camera trailing him, and once they had emerged Cruise enveloped the Dawson's Creek star in a hug.

That moment unwittingly set the tone for Cruise and Holmes' entire relationship, romantic to many but to everyone… just a lot .

34. A month later, Cruise accused Matt Lauer  of being "glib" when the Today host questioned his take on mental health care—specifically, his dismissal of psychiatry and his criticism of Brooke Shields ' "irresponsible" use of medication to treat postpartum depression.

35. Cruise and Holmes' daughter, Suri Cruise , was born on April 18, 2006.

36. Mission: Impossible III came out on May 5, 2006, and did… fine. It was (and remains) the lowest-grossing installment of the franchise, making $134 million domestically, but more memorably it marked the moment where folks started wondering if Cruise had lost his movie-star mojo, if his unadulterated zeal had turned off audiences for good. Not making it better: Paramount severed its 14-year relationship with Cruise's production company that August, and then-Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone actually told the Wall Street Journal , "We don't think that someone who effectuates creative suicide and costs the company revenue should be on the lot. His recent conduct has not been acceptable to Paramount."

37. Suri was introduced to the world on the September 2006 cover of Vanity Fair , zipped up in her father's leather jacket akin to how Paul McCartney   snuggled daughter Mary on the cover of his 1970 solo album McCartney . The first glimpse at the cover was a huge get for Katie Couric 's first night as lead anchor of the CBS Evening News .

38. Cruise and Holmes' wedding at the 15th-century Castello Orsini-Odescalchi in Rome on Nov. 18, 2016, reportedly cost upward of $3 million . Guest Giorgio Armani designed the bride's ceremony and reception dresses and attendees included Will Smith  and Jada Pinkett Smith , John Travolta  and Kelly Preston , David  and Victoria Beckham , Jim Carrey  and Jenny McCarthy , Leah Remini  and Angelo Pagan , and Jennifer Lopez  and Marc Anthony . Andrea Bocelli performed.

39. Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige was Cruise's best man. According to Remini, who left the church in 2013, a traditional Scientology wedding ceremony includes the vow "to never close their eyes in sleep on a disagreement or an upset."

40. Shields and husband Chris Henchy were also in attendance, Cruise having apologized for publicly disparaging his Endless Love co-star's use of medication to treat postpartum depression. "If you get invited to that wedding, you go," Shields recalled on The Jenny McCarthy Show in 2016. The actress even provided the bride's "something old": an antique enamel compact.

41. 2010's Knight and Day with Cameron Diaz  was widely treated as some sort of "comeback" movie for Cruise, a test to see if he could still have a monster action movie hit after Mission: Impossible III underwhelmed.

"I don't understand why people think that," he marveled to the U.K.'s Telegraph . "I've been working the whole time."

42. His roles in the interim had included his unrecognizable—and hilarious—surprise turn as crass, bullying, bald and fat studio exec Les Grossman in Ben Stiller 's Tropic Thunder , for which he earned a Golden Globe nomination.

"I had about a dozen people making the silicone prosthetics for his head, neck, chest, and hands," makeup designer Barney Burman recalled to Grantland . "We made him special gloves. I did the sculpting, someone else did the molds, someone else was casting them. I had six different people punching hairs into the scalp piece, so his entire head was one-at-a-time, hand-punched hairs; his arms were hand-punched one at a time; his chest was hand-punched."

Added Aida Caefer , "I made the fat suits for Tom Cruise. He was all for  the more ridiculous, the better . The suit went from his neck all the way down to his ankles…The character moved around a lot and he was so soaked in sweat that we had rotating suits for him—one in the morning and one after lunch."

"Tom choreographed all his own moves," Stiller said. "I remember watching him do this stuff and thinking this is so frigging funny."

43. The rumor that Cruise turned down the role of Iron Man, which would have changed the whole vibe of the Marvel Universe, is not true, he says. "Not close," he told ComicBook.com in 2018 when asked if he was really almost Tony Stark. "Not close, and I love Robert Downey Jr. I can't imagine anyone else in that role, and I think it's perfect for him."

44. For 2011's Mission: Impossible—Ghost Protocol , Cruise hung off the edge of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai—the world's tallest building—without a double (though with the appropriate wires). And while he'd been doing as much of his own physical laboring as possible for decades, this reinvigorated Cruise's reputation as the guy who does all the death-defying stunts the insurance companies will allow. The film's $695 million worldwide box office also signaled that Cruise's reputation had preceded him—in a good way.

45. Holmes filed for divorce in June 2012. Her father, attorney Martin Holmes , had helped draft their prenuptial agreement and all was remarkably settled within weeks. And neither of them have ever talked about what happened . They've acknowledged that they were once married to each other, but why it ended has remained anyone's guess. And, oh, how the people have guessed.

46. Eyebrows were raised when the 5-foot-7 Cruise was tapped to play 6-foot-5 vigilante Jack Reacher from Lee Childs ' best-selling novel series.

"Size in my books is a metaphor for an unstoppable force," Childs explained. "Cruise portrays that in his own way."

47. Not as initially OK with the creative license was Interview With the Vampire   author Ann Rice , who according to Vanity Fair was livid in the early '90s when Cruise was cast to play Lestat, having written the character with Rutger Hauer in mind.

"It always helps if one is controversial in casting a movie," director Neil Jordan said. "I just thought that if Tom was willing to go the distance this character demands—and he was—then we could end up with something quite extraordinary, and we did."

48. Mission: Impossible—Rogue Nation was legendary before it hit theaters in 2015 for Cruise's viral airplane stunt, in which he hung onto the door of an Airbus A400M as it took off. For real. He also did his own motorcycle chase and learned how to hold his breath for six and a half minutes for the underwater document swap.

49. He was back on the bike for Mission: Impossible—Fallout and "when the [safety] rigs didn't work, we just went for it," director Christopher McQuarrie told the New York Times . "Everything that you're seeing Tom doing, he's doing free riding on cold cobblestones. Sometimes there was rain; sometimes there was morning dew. There was always a danger of skidding and wiping out."

Cruise also did his own skydiving along with Henry Cavill 's stunt double, dangled from a rope attached to a flying helicopter, and piloted a helicopter for a mid-air chase scene, getting his certification in six weeks. It normally takes three months, McQuarrie said, but Cruise trained for 16 hours a day to cut the time in half.

"Tom was having the time of his life," the director said.

50. Cruise has social media accounts but they are strictly for un-risky business, and he prefers to not know everything that's happening online. "Sometimes I have to for work, but I keep it very limited," he told E! News in 2016. "I don't spend time doing that kind of stuff."

51. Cruise isn't one to let himself go in between physically taxing roles. "Sea-kayaking, caving, fencing, treadmill, weights, rock-climbing, hiking… I jog… I do so many different activities," he has said.

In fact, he refers to his personal workout space—a version of which he takes with him everywhere—as the "Pain Cave."

"Only the motivated can enter," he explained to the AP at the 2017 premiere of The Mummy . "All you got to do is just be motivated. Anyone can come in, we have the crew come in, and we just make it available to everyone."

As co-star Jake Johnson   revealed: "You start every morning with the daily challenge. So before work starts, you're in there. His hair and makeup team is in there, his crew is in there, so there's about 15, 20 people every day doing their squats and jumping jacks. And then I kinda got into it with him…I wanted to be in a Tom Cruise movie and do it the Tom Cruise way."

That includes, alas, avoiding sugar.

"I love sugar," Cruise assured James Corden  on The Late Late Show in 2018, "but I can't eat it because when I'm training, I'm doing all these movies—so I send it to everyone." And then, "I wait for the calls. Like, 'tell me about it.'"

52. Don't tell anyone, but Cruise is human: Aside from what he did to himself running around in childhood, he threw out his back making Legend ; developed an ulcer while shooting Eyes Wide Shut ; tore his labrum scaling a cliff at Dead Horse Point, Utah, for Mission: Impossible 2 ; and broke an ankle on Mission: Impossible—Fallout .

"It was the easy one where I'm running and I jump from one building to the next," Cruise later described the fateful stunt on  The Tonight Show .

53. But this guy commits . In addition to doing three months of helicopter pilot training in six weeks and learning how to hold his breath like he's David Blaine , he played pool for 12 hours a day to play Fast Eddie Felson's protegee in The Color of Money. He lost 18 pounds and read classic books out loud to work on his diction to play centuries-old Lestat in Interview With the Vampire. He learned German to better embody a World War II-era officer in Valkyrie . He actually spent a year and a half learning how to fly a helicopter for  Mission: Impossible—Fallout  (before his whirlwind certification).

54. "I haven't seen him in awhile, but he has sent me a birthday gift every year since I was 11 years old," Dakota Fanning  said on Watch What Happens Live in 2016 about her dad in 2005's War of the Worlds . "Beautiful gifts, it's really kind. I always think, 'Oh, when I'm 18, he'll probably stop. Oh, 21, he'll stop. But every year."

What does Team Cruise pick out? "It's usually shoes," the actress, then 22, shared.

55. In 1986, he told Cameron Crowe , "Let's face it, I'm not saving lives here. I feel fortunate, but this is just one aspect of my life. I love my work, but my family is very important to me, too. You pick up the paper and see that there are many things happening outside my little world."

Since then, the real-life heroics include, all within a few years in the '90s: He lifted two boys over a barricade to prevent them being crushed at the Mission: Impossible premiere in London; he sent his own yacht's skiff to rescue a family whose sailboat was on fire in the Mediterranean in 1996; he rushed to the aid of a woman who had been mugged in London; and he paid the $7,000 emergency room bill for an uninsured cashier who was injured in a hit and run—an accident Cruise witnessed.

"It's just an impulse," Cruise told People in 2000 about his spate of good deeds. "I was never a Boy Scout, so maybe I'm making up for it now."

Or, as he said in the video of an interview for his church that went viral in 2008, "You can't drive past an accident, because as a Scientologist you are the only one who can help"

56. Though he's the most famous face of Scientology, Cruise is incredibly protective of his beliefs and doesn't say too much about it publicly. But in October 2016, he told ITV at the London premiere of Jack Reacher: Never Go Back , "It's something that has helped me incredibly in my life. I've been a Scientologist for over 30 years. It's something that is, you know...without it, I wouldn't be where I am. So, it's a beautiful religion. I'm incredibly proud."

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Tom Cruise’s estranged daughter Suri, 18, shares big announcement in rare statement

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Suri Cruise has announced the next big step in her life as she’s set to attend the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University in September.

Suri , 18, the daughter of Hollywood icons Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, revealed the news in a rare TikTok post where she and a group of friends each wore a sweatshirt from their chosen college.

The video, set to the tune of Abbi Sutphen’s Always Remember You, has the caption: ‘LaG commitment day.’

Carnegie Mellon’s School of Design is one of the oldest and most highly ranked programs in the US, and it’s believed the 18-year-old is leaning towards studying fashion .

‘She is a smart girl, and she is turning into a very intelligent mature young woman,’ an insider told the Daily Mail .

‘She has a very close group of loyal friends, and she knows exactly where she comes from.’

Top Gun icon Tom, 61, and Dawson’s Creek’s Katie, 45, welcomed Suri on April 18, 2006, the anniversary of their first date.

Suri is reportedly extremely close to her mum, but it’s believed she hasn’t seen her dad for 11 years .

It’s claimed that the Mission Impossible actor helps his daughter financially, but no longer sees her after he and Katie divorced in 2012 and she left the Church of Scientology.

Tom also has two children from his marriage to Nicole Kidman – Isabella, 31, and Connor, 29 – who he is believed to see regularly and are both members of the Scientology church .

Their divorce settlement stated that the actor agreed to pay his ex-wife $400,000 (£314,200) a year until Suri turned 18, and he will pay for all her college fees.

The agreement states that although he might not see his daughter, he has to cover ‘medical, dental, insurance, education, college and other extracurricular costs.’

Around the time of the divorce was the last time Tom was publicly pictured with Suri, taking her to Disney World in 2012.

At the time, a spokesperson said: ‘Kate has filed for divorce and Tom is deeply saddened and is concentrating on his three children.’

It’s reported that Tom has not seen Suri in the 10 years since, with the pair being no contact for the last three years.

A source told Heat magazine: ‘Tom is feeling guilty about missing so much of her life, but insists that he hasn’t completely shut Suri out of his life, and does get updates from time to time.’

Katie has not commented on Tom’s relationship with their daughter and has stressed the importance of allowing Suri to maintain her privacy.

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• Trivia His acting idol is Paul Newman . Much to the delight of Cruise, they became good friends during work on The Color of Money (1986) . Newman got him into racing, and Cruise ultimately raced on his team.
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Dakota Fanning has received a pair of shoes in the mail from Tom Cruise for 18 years

Dakota Fanning has revealed she still receives a pair of shoes every single year from former co-star Tom Cruise.

Is there anything Tom Cruise can’t do? The 61-year-old Hollywood legend established himself as an ’80s heartthrob in movie classics like Top Gun and Cocktail before evolving into more dramatic roles in the likes of Magnolia and Eyes Wide Shut, showcasing his versatility as an actor with the ability to tackle any role. He’s more recently established himself as one of the most fearless leading men in cinema history thanks to later Mission: Impossible franchise installments. On top of his staggering skillset, the man apparently never forgets an important birthday…

Tom Cruise’s 18-year tradition of sending Dakota Fanning shoes is adorable

Dakota Fanning cemented herself as one of the most skilled and in-demand child actors of the 2000s, appearing in movies such as Man On Fire. She co-starred with Tom in the 2005 Steven Spielberg sci-fi epic War Of The Worlds, playing his on-screen daughter.

Her new movie The Watchers is in theaters on Friday, June 27th 2024, and to promote it she made an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Reflecting on her time working with Tom, she revealed he’s sent her a pair of shoes for her birthday every year since, marking an 18-year tradition.

“He always sends me the same thing every year,” she explained. “I loved shoes when I was little, and I started to be able to fit into really small adult shoes when I was on the War Of The Worlds press tour, so I was really excited about them. So from that birthday on, he always sends me shoes.”

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Kelly was impressed by the story—“That’s so nice”—and suggested she must have quite the collection just from Tom alone.

Tom’s generosity with former co-stars is fast becoming the stuff of legend. He worked with Kirsten Dunst when she was a child star on the 1994 film Interview With The Vampire, and since then she has received an extra-special coconut cake from him every Christmas. So Tom, if you’re looking for any more friends… y’know, just putting it out there.

Tom Cruise even bought Dakota her very first phone

Dakota reached the milestone of her eleventh birthday on the set of War Of The Worlds, giving her something else to celebrate beyond being an already acclaimed actress working with the biggest filmmaker on the planet.

“I turned 11 on War of the Worlds, when we worked together and he gave me my first cell phone for that birthday,” she also told Kelly, making Tom sound all the more a total sweetheart.

“It was a Motorola Razr… I didn’t have anyone to call, but I wanted a Razr so bad,” she laughed. “I must have been talking about it a lot because that’s what he got me. It’s such a great memory.”

Again Tom, if you’re looking for more friends….

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Tom Cruise's Best Replacement In Mission: Impossible

Posted: June 10, 2024 | Last updated: June 10, 2024

Tom Cruise’s Best Replacement In Mission: Impossible

Once upon a time, Jeremy Renner was set up to replace Tom Cruise in the Mission: Impossible franchise. Cruise, of course, found quitting to be an impossible mission unto itself, but now that the veteran actor is 61 years old, it’s clear he’ll need to eventually be replaced. That will most likely happen with the inevitable franchise reboot, and we’re here to deliver a simple message to Paramount: Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the best replacement for Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson Is The Perfect Replacement

Why do we think Aaron Taylor-Johnson should be the next Ethan Hunt? While the new actor could be somebody completely unlike Tom Cruise, we know that both audiences and the studio will want someone who reminds them of their current Mission: Impossible star. Johnson happens to have the right look for the role, and we’d love to see his talents utilized in better movies than that awful-looking Kraven the Hunter film.

Bullet Train Is Proof He Has The Right Vibe

In addition to the looks, it’s worth noting that at 33, Aaron Taylor-Johnson is only one year younger than Tom Cruise was when he starred in the first Mission: Impossible film. That means Paramount might be able to similarly get decades of quality films from the actor. Additionally, judging from his appearance in Bullet Train (more on this later), we think he’s got the vibe and the swagger to replace Cruise’s grinning secret agent. 

Aaron Taylor-Johnson Already Has A Blockbuster Record

Sometimes, it can be an adjustment for actors who are suddenly thrust into action roles. Daniel Craig, for example, seemed accustomed to much smaller roles before getting cast as James Bond, and once he left that franchise, he immediately returned to the comparatively quieter Knives Out franchise. In recasting Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt, we think it would be prudent to cast someone with some blockbuster experience under his belt before he headlines a Mission: Impossible film.

Fortunately, Aaron Taylor-Johnson is no stranger to big-budget blockbuster films. He appeared memorably in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Avengers: Age of Ultron, and he headlined his own superhero franchise with the Kick-A** films. He most recently dazzled us in Bullet Train, and we think his growing action resume would help him really bring Ethan Hunt to life in an upcoming reboot.

And Plenty Of Action Experience

Our next point goes hand-in-hand with the previous one: starting with Tom Cruise’s first outing, the Mission: Impossible films have been very physical. It’s not enough for the main star to have simply made cameos in the occasional blockbuster. Presumably, Paramount also wants someone who will be very accustomed to doing his own stunts (something Tom Cruise is famous for) and making the action look convincing.

Like Tom Cruise, Aaron Taylor-Johnson Does His Own Stunts

You guessed it: Aaron Taylor-Johnson is somebody who likes to do his own stunts, even at the risk of his own health. In fact, the star told Variety that while shooting Bullet Train, “We were in a fight sequence and I get drop-kicked across the room,” and he hit “the one sharp bit of the corner where there wasn’t any padding,” which “took a chunk out of my hand.” 

His reaction to that was to ask, “Should we go again?” when everyone else wanted him to go to the hospital, and that’s the kind of manic dedication to stunts Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible replacement needs to have.

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Wga negotiator john august reveals what he believes is the biggest artificial intelligence threat to writers – avpsummit, “i’m ron burgundy”: watch bbc news presenter maryam moshiri make joke after autocue error.

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BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri has become one of social media’s biggest providers of viral clips in recent months, and today she added another memorable moment.

During a BBC News bulletin this morning, Moshiri quoted Will Ferrell’s famous “I’m Ron Burgundy?” line from the initial Anchorman movie after an autocue mistake caused her to falter on a light relief story about hazel dormice numbers in the UK.

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She then passed over to a colleague before making the Anchorman quip, saying, “I’m Ron Burgundy.”

The clip has been shared on X (Twitter) and quickly become the latest Moshiri moment tickling social media users, with the owner of the account that initially posted the clip saying it was “great to see some ‘personality’ returning to the channel when the mood permits.”

This morning's light-relief-from-the-election "And Finally" story focused on hazel dormice, and @BBCMaryam had her Ron Burgundy moment. It's great to see some "personality" returning to the channel when the mood permits. pic.twitter.com/tH3x0VPUv9 — Nathan Chard (@NathanEChard) June 11, 2024

In 2004’s Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy , Ferrell played a polished but old-school news reader who was known for reading whatever was put on the autocue in front of him. In one scene, he famously reads, “I’m Ron Burgundy?” with a questioning inflection when a question mark is mistakenly added to his teleprompter script.

Today, Moshiri channelled a slightly more knowing energy than her fictional counterpart, as later in the broadcast, she said: “I, of course, meant to say ‘habitat,’ but ‘habit’ was written on the autocue, which just shows you that I just read whatever is written in front of me, clearly.”

Moshiri has become a cult figure to many media watchers for her quirky news presenting, most famously going viral last year for making a rude gesture with her middle finger while unknowingly been broadcast live before a bulletin began. She also made headlines impersonating a seagull earlier this year.

It could be assumed this won’t be the last comic moment coming out of Moshiri’s news broadcasts this year.

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Whoopi Goldberg Reunites ‘Sister Act 2’ Kid Actors After 30 Years to Recreate ‘Oh Happy Day’ and ‘Joyful, Joyful’ Choir Scenes, Breaks Down in Tears

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Whoopi Goldberg celebrated the 30th anniversary of “ Sister Act 2 : Back in the Habit” by reuniting the movie’s cast on “The View” — and not just her adult co-stars like Kathy Najimy. Goldberg gathered many of the kid actors who made up the choir in the movie and recreated the scene in which her character, Sister Mary Clarence, conducts them in a soulful rendition of “Oh Happy Day.”

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Goldberg said during the reunion that “everybody recognizes themselves” in the characters, which is why the two “Sister Act” movie have remained beloved for three decades and counting.

“Worldwide, it doesn’t matter how old you are, you are the age of those kids when you see the movie,” Goldberg added. “You’re the age of them and you remember your time and you remember how happy you were that you didn’t have to go to Catholic school. But then you remember how sorry you are that you didn’t get to go to Catholic school and you missed out on teachers like this. So I think people just feel themselves here.”

The reunion also included video segments from those who couldn’t participate in person. Jennifer Love Hewitt, was just 13 years old when she starred in the “Sister Act” sequel, said working on the movie was “one of the greatest things that ever happened to me.”

Goldberg has spoken out frequently over the last several months about her interest in making “Sister Act 3.” The movie has been in development for years, with Regina Hicks and Karin Gist once hired back in 2018 to pen the sequel. Goldberg said in 2022 that she was interested in having Keke Palmer and Lizzo join the cast.

“I want as many people who want to have some fun because I really, desperately need to have some fun,” Goldberg said at the time, adding that she was teaming up with Tyler Perry to develop the sequel and a script was to be completed soon.

Watch clips from Goldberg’s “Sister Act 2” 30th anniversary reunion in the posts below.

'OH HAPPY DAY': Whoopi Goldberg reunites members of the 'Sister Act 2' cast to perform 'Oh Happy Day' from the 1993 hit movie to kick off our 30th anniversary reunion special! https://t.co/cVclFZQmjA pic.twitter.com/d5SFWpKTxP — The View (@TheView) June 5, 2024

"IT CHANGED THE TRAJECTORY OF MY LIFE!" The actors who played the hell-raising classroom kids in 'Sister Act 2' share how their roles changed their lives and look back on filming the movie! https://t.co/cVclFZQU98 pic.twitter.com/7anmEfIsbJ — The View (@TheView) June 5, 2024

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