Summary
The first details about a newTom Cruisemovie have surfaced, and it just might give the actor his best role in 25 years. After spending much of his time in recent years making franchise installments and entertaining action movies, Cruise is finally on the cusp of breaking away from those practices and returning to working with auteur filmmakers. He was meant toteam up with Quentin Tarantinoin his now-canceled movie, but the actor also has a film in development with Oscar-winning director Alejandro G. Iñárritu (BirdmanandThe Revenant).
Development onTom Cruise and Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s new moviehas been underway since early 2024, when the actor’s casting was first reported. However, the plot and the type of role Cruise would play remained a mystery. It has now been revealed (viaDeadline) that the story follows"the most powerful man in the world"as he attempts to become"humanity’s savior.“The catch is that he’s unleashed something that will destroy everything. There is no doubt that this is the role that Tom Cruise is meant to play, and it sounds like an auspicious opportunity for him to shine.
Tom Cruise Played One Of The Best Movie Villains Of All Time 20 Years Ago & I’m Still Waiting For More
Tom Cruise has hardly played any antagonists in his illustrious career but his iconic villain role in Michael Mann’s 2004 thriller makes me want more.
Tom Cruise’s New Movie Role As Humanity’s Savior Is Very Exciting
It’s A Twist On A Common Stereotype For Cruise
What makes Tom Cruise’s role as humanity’s savior in the new movie so exciting is how it builds on his career to this point and his most famous roles. Cruise has become a major star, in part, because of the often heroic roles that he plays. Whether its Ethan Hunt or Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell, the actortypically plays heroes who are the key to saving the world or humanityin some case. Iñárritu’s movie is poised to put Cruise back in that same stereotype, although the circumstances are very different.
Audiences should have no trouble buying him as the “savior” character, since that is what he is best known for at this point. Cruise has even positioned himself somewhat as Hollywood’s savior thanks to his dedication to the theatrical experience before and afterTop Gun: Maverick’s record performance. But, it sounds like Cruise’s new movie role will essentially have him be the villain behind humanity’s potential doom. This createsthe potential for the movie to deconstruct Cruise’s hero/savior complex, which could help him deliver one of his best performances ever.
This Can Be Tom Cruise’s Best Role Since Magnolia
It Was His Last Oscar-Nominated Performance
The potential that exists for Tom Cruise’s new role and the type of performance he could give under Iñárritu’s direction could easily make it his best role sinceMagnolia. Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1999 movie was critically acclaimed and evenbrought a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for Cruise. While he’s worked on several notable projects since then, none have brought him the same level of awards recognition. Iñárritu’s movies tend to get its performers Oscar nominations, if not wins, so Cruise could be next if the performance is everything imagined.
Magnolia
Best Supporting Actor
Even ifTom Cruise’s new movie role doesn’t get him an Oscar nominationlikeMagnoliadid, it could still be his best performance since then.He’s had great performances over the last 25 years, whether inCollateral,Minority Report, orTop Gun: Maverick, but they still did not reach the emotional heights of his Oscar-nominated performance. Iñárritu’s track record andTom Cruise’s interest in seeking out this project are signs that the actor could be in line for one of his best roles ever.
