Without a doubt, actor Tom Cruise is one of the most iconic and successful celebrities in the history of cinema. Even after four decades, the actor has continued to consistently deliver outstanding performances. His influence on the industry is quite strong, after all, he is one of the best.
The actor always is known for making fair decisions and supporting positive ideas. It was once revealed that Cruise saved director Todd Field’s 2001 film, In the Bedroom from disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein. Weinstein, who is a convicted s-x offender, acquired the rights to Field’s film and wanted to make some changes, but Cruise didn’t let that happen.
Tom Cruise Helped Todd Field after Harvey Weinstein tried to Ruin His Career
Before becoming a director, Todd Field was an actor, but very soon he discovered his passion for direction. 2001’s In the Bedroom was Field’s first feature film and he managed to create an exceptional film, however, Field got anxious when he discovered that Harvey Weinstein’s entertainment company, Miramax, acquired the rights to the film after its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
Weinstein was well-known for acquiring films just to make major edits to it, something which Field didn’t want. He wanted the film to reach the audience just the way it was, so he decided to call his old friend, actor Tom Cruise. In an interview with The New Yorker, Field recalled,
“I was weeping in the bathroom. I called up Tom Cruise and said, ‘Something terrible has happened.’ He basically said, ‘This is how you’re going to play it. It’s going to take you six months, and you’ll beat him, but you have to do exactly what I’m going to tell you to do, step by step.'”
Cruise instructed Field to allow Weinstein to make the changes because Cruise was sure that the film would then perform terribly. That’s exactly what happened and Weinstein ultimately had to release it in the exact way it was when he bought it.
Tom Cruise Encouraged Todd Field to Become a Director
Initially, Todd Field was unsure about becoming a director but then he was encouraged by Cruise. Field met Cruise while working on Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut (1999). At the time, Field was not sure about starting the process of making films, so Cruise had some advice for him. Field recalled Cruise’s words,
“You’re just making excuses. Figure it out.”
Field then took the risk and managed to create In the Bedroom, a film that was nominated for five Oscars, including Best Picture. Cruise has displayed these values in the past as well as he once helped out fellow actor Will Smith by giving him a blockbuster hit. In a past interview, Smith revealed that he sent 2007’s I Am Legend‘s script to Cruise and he sent it back after four hours with some major changes. In the end, I Am Legend became an important movie that massively contributed to making Smith a well-known name.
Source: The New Yorker
