Tom Cruise is arguably one of the most lauded action stars in Hollywood. Nothing speaks ‘action icon’ louder than driving off a cliff on a motorcycle and sprinting on the roof of a moving train. But while the Top Gun: Maverick star has a remarkably strong affinity for all things action, he seems to be lacking a flair for genres like drama and comedy. At least that’s what James Gunn believes.
James Gunn – Tom Cruise Isn’t Cut Out for Comedy/Drama
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has been one hell of a parting gift by James Gunn to the MCU fandom. Besides bestowing the audience with the perfect conclusion to the journey of the beloved Guardians, the director also introduced a band of exciting new characters in the film, including Will Poulter’s Adam Warlock.
Talking about the gilded cosmic being in an interview prior to the release of GoTG Vol. 3, Gunn, 56, addressed certain fan theories and pleas about how Tom Cruise should portray Warlock instead of Midsommar star. But because the DCU co-CEO wanted to cast someone who happened to be well-equipped with “the dramatic and comedic chops,” Poulter was an obvious no-brainer for the role. Not to mention, Gunn also wanted someone more “youthful” to play the character.
“People online were saying, ‘Oh, Tom Cruise should be Adam Warlock,'” the Peacemaker director told Empire. “I wanted somebody who was youthful, and I wanted the person who had the dramatic chops and the comedic chops, not only for this movie but for what Marvel will use Adam Warlock for in the future.”
Did he just call the Mission: Impossible star old and a bad actor in one single sentence? He might as well have. Despite the apparent implication, however, Cruise didn’t hold back from singing high praise of the forthcoming DCU film that everyone seems to be holding their breath for.
The Flash Rendered Tom Cruise Overwhelmed With Awe
Cruise, 61, was able to watch Andy Muschietti’s upcoming spectacle at his Beverly Hills home thanks to a private screening session that WBD CEO David Zaslav had arranged for the Academy Award-winning actor. And it’s safe to say that The Flash left the Jack Reacher star positively speechless.
See also: WB Confirms The Flash Owes its Visual Aesthetics to Zack Snyder’s Justice League
Not only did he deem it the pinnacle of superhero films, but Cruise further went on to rave about the Ezra Miller-led venture as the savior of cinema. He claimed that it is “everything you want in a movie” and that “this is the kind of movie we need now” according to sources.
Gunn’s seeming implication certainly didn’t deter him from raving about the film. After all, credit is where credit is due.
The Flash hits cinemas on June 16, 2023.
Source: Empire