In 2010, Hollywood studios launched the project The Expendables with the hope of gathering action stars for a single moment, creating the conditions to regain glory and attract audiences.
However, Tom Cruise has never faded away nor lost his luster. For over 20 years, the 1962-born star has consistently starred in many blockbuster projects. Not only that, he also participates in production while performing dangerous stunt scenes that could lead to death without needing a stunt double.
The Unreplaceable Action Icon
With his charming smile and iconic persona, Tom Cruise quickly caught the attention of many production houses when he appeared on screen, swiftly captivating the blue eyes of many studios. Famous for Risky Business (1983) and especially Top Gun (1986), he has firmly established himself as one of Hollywood’s leading action stars.
Three decades later, when Top Gun: Maverick (2022) was officially in production, Tom Cruise remained the only choice for the main character. Audiences may forget the film’s content, but they can never forget the iconic image of him as the talented pilot Maverick.
Tom Cruise as the pilot in Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Tom Cruise’s appearance helped Top Gun: Maverick achieve unexpected success, becoming the second-highest-grossing film of the year with nearly $1.5 billion. The film also contributed to the global box office recovery after a prolonged downturn due to COVID-19.
His name is closely linked with numerous action projects such as Days of Thunder (1990), Minority Report (2002), The Last Samurai (2003), Jack Reacher (2012), Edge of Tomorrow (2014), etc. Any project he takes on tends to draw significant attention upon release, largely due to his star power.
Notably, the role of Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible franchise was a major turning point, elevating Tom Cruise’s career to new heights. The series began with Mission: Impossible (1996) and has since released seven installments, with an eighth currently in production.
In the Hollywood landscape, where studios are scrambling to find new faces for superhero roles, Tom Cruise remains a steadfast presence in every installment, with no other name capable of replacing him.
The star is the soul of the franchise, contributing to its success both before and after its release. Notably, Mission: Impossible is consistently rated as one of the most popular action series of all time, with total earnings exceeding $3.5 billion.
The character Ethan Hunt has also turned Tom Cruise into a symbol of the action film genre, often compared to Ian Fleming’s James Bond.
Tom Cruise’s presence is essential for the success of the Mission: Impossible series
Unprecedented Challenges at 61
As Mission: Impossible 7 premieres, Tom Cruise officially crosses into his 61st year. Yet, on screen, the star still dazzles with his charming smile and stunning physique, making it hard for anyone to notice the passage of time.
Notably, he performs all stunts in the film, including life-threatening scenes, without the need for a stunt double.
The most impressive stunt is when Tom Cruise drives a motorcycle at high speed on a mountain ridge, then leaps off the bike while still maintaining balance. The team had to construct a 135-meter long, 10-meter high ramp to enable the actor to jump off successfully.
To prepare for this scene, the star underwent rigorous training for about 15 months, completing over 13,000 motorcycle jumps and 536 practice jumps. The filming location was extremely dangerous, at an elevation of over 1.5 kilometers. If anything went wrong, the actor could easily face life-threatening injuries.
Nevertheless, Tom Cruise seems unfazed. According to Paramount Pictures, during filming, he had to jump six times to get the right shot, demonstrating his dedication to achieving the perfect take. This is considered one of the largest-scale action sequences ever performed in cinematic history.
The entire set where Tom Cruise performs his stunts after driving a motorcycle
Moreover, Tom Cruise continues to perform a variety of intense action scenes in the Mission: Impossible series. From clinging to the side of an A400M aircraft as it takes off, to free-falling from great heights, driving cars, or diving into deep waters… All these stunts bring a genuine sense of thrill to viewers.
In the media, Tom Cruise is often praised as “getting better with age.” The star is not just an A-list celebrity but continues to advance in his career. In the 1990s, he was among the few actors who earned the highest box office fees globally, with at least $15 million for each project.
His salary has skyrocketed several times over the past four decades. According to Insider, Tom Cruise earned $100 million for the blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick, establishing him as the highest-paid actor in 2022, as well as one of Hollywood’s top earners.
