Tom Cruise is one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, as well as one of its most hardworking. Last year, he helmed Top Gun: Maverick, which went on to become one of the biggest films of the year with a box office gross of almost $1.5 billion. When an actor of his caliber plans on seeing upcoming films, you know it is a major endorsement.
At his age and with his pedigree, you would expect him to have the luxury of taking a few days off work to celebrate his birthday. However, that is not the case with the Golden Globes winner. On Monday, when he should be celebrating turning 61, he was in Sydney attending the Australian premiere of his film Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.
Naturally, members of that country’s press wanted to speak to him, and Cruise didn’t disappoint. During a conversation with The Sydney Morning Herald, he revealed his big love for movies, including some upcoming blockbusters.
He stated, “I grew up seeing movies on the big screen. That’s how I make them, and I like that experience; it’s immersive, and to have that as a community and an industry, it’s important. I still go to the movies.”
After all these years headlining major Hollywood films and the many box office wins that have come from that, one would expect him to be jaded and less enthusiastic about going to the cinema. However, that wasn’t the case with the dashing actor.
Cruise even revealed his plans to see two of the year’s biggest films, Barbie and Oppenheimer, on their debut, which happens to fall on the same weekend. These two movies have gained a strange shared online meme-charged fandom, a bit like the cinematic version of the relationship between DOOM and Animal Crossing.
This summer is full of amazing movies to see in theaters.
Congratulations, Harrison Ford, on 40 years of Indy and one of the most iconic characters in history.
I love a double feature, and it doesn't get more explosive (or more pink) than one with Oppenheimer and Barbie. pic.twitter.com/udWHHj4fAe
— Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) June 28, 2023
He told the newspaper, “I want to see both Barbie and Oppenheimer. I’ll see them opening weekend. Friday I’ll see Oppenheimer first and then Barbie on Saturday.” Cruise’s comments come after a similar tweet last week. In that tweet, he congratulated Harrison Ford on the release of his latest flick – Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, as well as his longevity.
Even then, he gave a shout-out to Barbie and Oppenheimer. Given that these movies will undoubtedly compete with his film for box office spoils, his show of support is evidence of his magnanimity and good-natured spirited.
Cruise also teased his future career plans, and thankfully, it does not include retiring. In fact, he is taking a page from Ford’s book and will keep acting for at least the next 20 years. He stated, “Harrison Ford is a legend; I hope to be still going; I’ve got 20 years to catch up with him. I hope to keep making Mission: Impossible films until I’m his age.
Ford, who will clock 81 in a few days, is involved in several projects, including Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts and Captain America: Brave New World, Apple TV+’s Shrinking, and Paramount’s 1923. Despite his age, he has no plans to retire soon, and he stated as much during a recent interview.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One will make its global debut next Wednesday, July 12. However, the film will get an early release in Australia this weekend following its Monday premiere. Its sequel, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two, is slated for release on June 28, 2024.
