Tom Cruise, one of Hollywood’s most enduring action heroes, is a household name known for his tireless dedication to the cinematic craft. However, what truly sets Cruise apart is his unwavering commitment to creating mass entertainment for cinema-goers worldwide. This unique approach to his craft is best captured in a recent revelation by Director Chris McQuarrie, where Cruise succinctly stated, “I make mass entertainment.”
Cruise’s Inception: A Maverick’s Vision of Entertainment
Chris McQuarrie, a name synonymous with many of Cruise’s box office hits, has a deep-rooted camaraderie with the actor that dates back to 2006. Their first collaboration on the silver screen, Valkyrie, marked the start of a fruitful professional relationship. But it was in these initial interactions that McQuarrie came to understand Cruise’s defining philosophy.
“I make mass entertainment.”
This short, declarative sentence expressed by Tom Cruise carried with it a strong conviction that left an indelible mark on McQuarrie. It unfolded before him during the production of Valkyrie, a gripping narrative set against the backdrop of a daring wartime mission to assassinate Adolf Hitler.
As the movie required more funding to reach its potential, Cruise proposed to broaden the script’s appeal. The intention was clear – to reach as wide a cinema-going audience as possible, emphasizing the actor’s commitment to large-scale, mass entertainment.
The Great Divide: Oscar Contender or Crowd Entertainer?
In the world of cinema, the prestigious Academy Awards often set the standard for what is considered a successful film. However, this measure of success often leads to a dichotomy within the industry – films that aim for artistic achievement, often adored by critics but not always resonating with wider audiences, versus those tailored for mass appeal.
McQuarrie shed light on this perceived divide, recounting Cruise’s perspective, which disregards this binary division:
“There is an outsized importance placed on Oscars. Films that not many people are going to see. A wedge has been driven into the industry. Are you an artist or an entertainer? Tom doesn’t see them as mutually exclusive.”
To Tom Cruise, the artistry of cinema and the pursuit of large-scale entertainment are not disparate. Instead, they are two sides of the same coin, both equally vital in the magic that is moviemaking.
Beyond the Limelight: Cruise’s Encounter with Bizarre Myths
Being an A-list celebrity often invites countless rumors and myths that circulate in the public domain. Despite this, Cruise has maintained a level-headed perspective on these whispers.
When queried by McQuarrie about the strangest rumor he’d heard about himself, Tom Cruise revealed that the most baffling myth was the ridiculous idea that people on set were “not allowed to look me in the eye.” This anecdote not only showcases Cruise’s humor in dealing with outrageous gossip but also underlines his down-to-earth personality, a contrast to his larger-than-life screen persona.
A Defender of Cinema in a Pandemic-stricken World
Tom Cruise’s unwavering commitment to cinema is not just limited to his work in front of the camera. His resolve was put to the test during the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented global crisis that brought the entertainment industry to its knees.
While filming the seventh installment of the Mission: Impossible series during these challenging times, Tom Cruise made headlines with his fervent reaction to a crew member who violated social distancing protocols. He was recorded warning the erring crew member, “Do that again and you’re gone.”
Simon Pegg, Cruise’s frequent co-star and close confidant, elucidated the actor’s zealous reaction to the incident:
“Everything that Tom cares about, in terms of his job, was at stake due to the pandemic. For him, there was a danger this virus could wipe cinema off the face of this earth.”
This fervor, while seeming intense to outsiders, is a testament to Tom Cruise’s unwavering commitment to the industry. He stands as a defender of cinema, ensuring that even in the face of global adversity, the show must go on.
As the anticipation builds for the release of Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One, these revelations provide a deeper understanding of the man behind the blockbuster hits.
Tom Cruise’s devotion to mass entertainment, his pragmatic stance on industry accolades, his nonchalant approach to baseless rumors, and his unwavering commitment to preserving the world of cinema come together to paint a vivid picture of one of Hollywood’s most enduring stars.
His love for the world of cinema is palpable, and it reaches beyond the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, reverberating in every corner of the globe where his films are watched and loved.
Source: Deadline
