Steven Spielberg recently shared what it's actually like to work with Tom Cruise, reflecting on their time together on the sets of 'Minority Report' and 'War of the Worlds.'
peaking at a keynote event during the SXSW Festival in Austin, the 79-year-old director told panel host Sean Fennessey that Cruise had a habit of showing up to work before the rest of the crew.
Steven Spielberg on Tom Cruise's Habit
Steven Spielberg explained that he usually arrives on set around 6:30 in the morning, and to his surprise, the actor was always there waiting for him. On both of their major films together, Cruise insisted on arriving at the same time as the director so they could map out the entire day's schedule. Spielberg found this level of commitment incredibly helpful, describing their partnership as a truly collaborative process.
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This intense work ethic is nothing new for the 63-year-old action star. In a previous interview, Tom Cruise mentioned that he is always looking for ways to expand his skills, knowing they will eventually come in handy for a role. He described himself as being in a state of constant training, whether he is learning piano, dancing, or mastering high-stakes skills like parachuting and flying. For him, the goal is always to get better because he feels there is always room for improvement.
Tom Cruise's Dedication to Work
His directors certainly notice the effort. Christopher McQuarrie, who has helmed several 'Mission: Impossible' films, noted that whenever audiences see Tom Cruise in a plane, he is the one actually at the controls. He described the actor as a one-man film crew who manages to act, operate the camera, and fly the aircraft all at once.
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Cruise even takes responsibility for his castmates' success. While producing 'Top Gun: Maverick,' he personally designed a training program for the younger actors. Director Joseph Kosinski explained that because Cruise had been thrown into the original 1986 film without proper flight training, he wanted to make sure the new stars were physically prepared for the intense G-forces of real cockpits.
His costars seem just as impressed by his character as they are by his stunts. Glen Powell, who played Hangman in the 'Top Gun' sequel, praised the actor by saying he is exactly as great as people imagine. According to Powell, Tom Cruise isn't just hardworking and available; he is also one of the most generous and kindest people in the industry.
