Tom Cruise has built a reputation for his dynamic acting approach marked by unwavering commitment and adaptability. He fearlessly embraces physically challenging roles, frequently executing his stunts. His magnetic on-screen presence, dedication to character complexity, and skill in captivating audiences across diverse genres have firmly established him as a Hollywood legend.
Seeing Tom Cruise in roles that portray him as less than suave is uncommon, but Doug Liman has achieved this feat not once, but twice. Liman, renowned for directing hits like Swingers, Go, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and The Bourne Identity, collaborated with Cruise on the often-overlooked Edge of Tomorrow in 2014 and this month’s American Made. In both films, Cruise, who is typically the epitome of cool, takes on the roles of bumbling or unremarkable characters.
American Made Director Made Tom Cruise Play A Fool
In America Made, Tom Cruise delves into a dramatized portrayal of Barry Seal’s life—an intriguing but often overlooked historical figure. Seal’s journey, from a TWA pilot to a drug smuggler turned government informant, serves as the film’s focal point. We had the opportunity to chat with Doug Liman about sharing living quarters with Cruise, filming a weightless intimacy scene, and his response to accusations linking their actions to the unfortunate deaths of two pilots during production.
Doug Liman noted that Tom Cruise’s fearlessness extends beyond his daring stunts, such as hanging off airplanes. He highlighted Cruise’s genuine fearlessness in embracing challenging roles like Barry Seal and Cage in Edge of Tomorrow. Liman revealed that Cruise thoroughly enjoys these roles but emphasized that the only challenge was making the request.
“You know, Tom is somebody who is known for being fearless, for hanging off the sides of airplanes and stuff like that. But he’s truly fearless when it comes to trying roles like Barry Seal, or Cage in Edge of Tomorrow. He’s willing to play these kinds of roles. He loves playing them, but I think the only trick was asking him to do it. I’ve made a career of being a contrarian. If I’m going to work with Tom Cruise, it’s my instinct to be like, “Well, I’m going to do the anti-Tom Cruise movie.”
American Made failed to leave a mark on the audience as it lacked a gripping storyline and the stunts that Tom Cruise fans love.
Tom Cruise Learned An Important Lesson From Paul Newman
During his guest spot on The Graham Norton Show, Tom Cruise, known for his role in Edge of Tomorrow, recounted a valuable lesson he gleaned from the seasoned Hollywood icon Paul Newman during their collaboration on The Color of Money. Surprisingly, it was a weather forecast in Chicago during January that left an enduring impression on Cruise.
He shared: “I was like, ‘I’m gonna have a leather jacket and t-shirt. I’m gonna have my hair blown back. It’s guaranteed up to 90 miles an hour. And there I am in January, and I’m shooting this scene. And I remember in the script, it was like outside. I didn’t think about it. Wardrobe’s like, ‘Yeah it looks great.’ And I am doing this scene, and I mean, I’m telling you, it’s so cold I can’t even speak.”
Cruise hadn’t anticipated that the chill of January would bring about such discomfort during the filming process.
American Made can be rented or purchased on Google Play.
Source: Vulture
