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Tom Cruise Brings 'Top Gun: Maverick' to the AFC Championship in New NFL Promo: 'The Best of the Best'

Top Gun: Maverick star Tom Cruise promised "a dogfight for the AFC Championship" between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals in NFL's promo for Sunday's game

Glenn Garner is a form writer-reporter who worked heavily with PEOPLE's Movies and TV verticals. He left PEOPLE in 2023.

Tom Cruise is preparing for a different kind of dogfight.

The three-time Golden Globe winner, 59, hyped up the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs ahead of Sunday's AFC Championship, appearing in an NFL promo that also featured footage from the long overdue Top Gun: Maverick , premiering May 27.

Cruise gives an inspirational speech about football and patriotism in the two-minute clip, cut together with footage from the upcoming sequel before listing the opposing teams' accomplishments from the past season.

"Today, two teams take the field, two teams who have personified what it takes to make it to the top," he says. "Two teams who have outlasted their opponents, outsmarted the experts, and are prepared to prove, once and for all, who is the best of the best."

"The Kansas City Chiefs, a franchise coming off one of the most thrilling wins in playoff history, with expectations as high as the sky and the talent to bring them to a third consecutive Super Bowl," Cruise continues. "Standing in their way, the Cincinnati Bengals, a team that has spent the past year proving their critics wrong, a team who continues to shock the world. They are hungry, they're resilient, and they're determined to make this season their season."

"Two teams coming off heart-pounding wins, two organizations on the edge of history, both committed to being the best of the best. The stage is set, it's the Kansas City Chiefs against the Cincinnati Bengals and a dogfight for the AFC Championship. So, let's kick the tires and light the fires, because the time is now," Cruise concludes.

RELATED VIDEO: Tom Cruise Surprises Fans at Comic-Con and Debuts the First Trailer for 'Top Gun: Maverick'

Sunday's AFC Championship kicks off at 3 p.m. ET, seeing the Chiefs defend their two-year winning streak after beating the Buffalo Bills , 42-36, at last week's playoffs. For their part, the Bengals triumphed over the Tennessee Titans, 19-16, years after winning their last playoffs in 1990.

Cruise can be seen reprising his role as Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in Top Gun: Maverick , premiering May 27 in theaters, 36 years after he starred in the original. The film's premiere was originally set for June 24, 2020, but has since been pushed back multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Tom Cruise and David Beckham celebrate England goal with fist bump

The actor and former footballer are among the famous faces at the tournament’s final at wembley stadium, article bookmarked.

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Two celebrity worlds collided at the Euro 2020 final on Sunday, when David Beckham and Tom Cruise found themselves sitting one socially distanced seat away from each other.

Former England captain Beckham was in the stands at Wembley to cheer on his former squad as the team goes head-to-head against Italy for the historic match.

Cruise, an American actor, has emerged as an unlikely fan of the England football team in recent weeks, even giving them an exclusive pre-screening of his new film.

Minutes into the match, left-back Luke Shaw scored the first goal of the game, putting England in the lead.

Expressing their joy with a rather composed celebration, Beckham and Cruise grinned at each other as they extended their arms into a quick fist bump .

The moment did not go unnoticed by fans on social media, with one going as far as saying the fist bump “almost topped Luke Shaw’s goal”.

“Tom Cruise & David Beckham spudding. What a time to be alive,” another person tweeted.

In an interview with BBC Radio5Live on Saturday, England captain Harry Kane revealed that he had received a FaceTime call from Cruise.

“We actually had Tom Cruise get in touch yesterday evening, you get everyone who loves football,” he said.

Kane said the actor had wished the team the best for Sunday’s match and given them a viewing of his new film.

“Yes, we were fortunate enough to have a watch of one of his films so I think he was over here in the UK and he just dialled in and FaceTimed us just to wish us the best as a group so that was nice of him.

“Football is such a big part of the world and it’s nice to have that support from all different types of businesses I guess,” he said.

Beckham, who played for England in three World Cup tournaments and two UEFA Euro tournaments, also attended England’s winning match against Scotland alongside his son, Romeo, in June.

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Happy 30th to ‘pulp fiction’: cast reunites for tcm classic film festival opening, tom cruise narrates ‘top gun maverick’ footage into afc championship tease.

By Bruce Haring

Bruce Haring

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Tom Cruise is ready for some football. And for some jet fighter action.

CBS Sports and the NFL married Cruise and footage from the upcoming Top Gun: Maverick into the AFC Championship tease that aired leading into the game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs. The clip was headlined, “The Time is Now.”

Cruise likened the game to the determination to be the best that it takes to be a top gun. The long-awaited sequel to the 1986 Top Gun  (which came out before both game quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes were born) is set for release on May 27 from Paramount.

Watch the AFC Championship teaser above.

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Why is Tom Cruise at England v Italy Euro 2020 final, how old is he and what is his net worth?

Hollywood A-lister Tom Cruise was spotted in the Wembley crowd next to former England captain and Manchester United legend David Beckham

• 20:52, 11 JUL 2021
• Updated 21:10, 11 JUL 2021

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Sunday night's Euro 2020 final was played out in front of 65,000 supporters at Wembley stadium, including royalty and Hollywood star Tom Cruise.

After Luke Shaw's opening goal, an overjoyed Prince George was pictured celebrating jubilantly with his father Prince William as Wembley erupted.

But there were more notable faces in the crowd, namely Hollywood actor Tom Cruise.

READ MORE: Prince George and dad William's brilliant reaction to England's Euro 2020 final goal

TV cameras panned to Cruise, who was sitting alongside former England captain and Manchester United legend David Beckham, up in the stands in the first half of the match.

Why is Tom Cruise at England v Italy Euro 2020 final?

He is a high-profile England supporter.

Cruise's attendance at the match comes after he sent a message to the England team ahead of their Euro 2020 final against Italy, wishing them luck as they bid to win their first piece of silverware since the 1966 World Cup.

In fact, 59-year-old Cruise tried to phone England manager Gareth Southgate ahead of the tournament finale, but the Three Lions boss missed the call as he was studying videos of the Italians ahead of the encounter.

The squad, meanwhile, were treated to a private Friday night screening of Cruise's latest film, Top Gun: Maverick.

"They were very fortunate," Southgate said of the team's message from Cruise. "I don’t know whether they’re supposed to have said this because they all had to sign a (non-disclosure) form.

"They had a preview of a film that’s due out further down the line and they had Tom dial in to speak to them which was, I would imagine, quite surreal.

"I was in a meeting watching videos of Italy but that’s another story.

"I think they all thoroughly enjoyed that experience and, yeah, they’ve had a good week, really. Ed Sheeran (who performed a private gig earlier in the tournament), Tom Cruise – the life of an England footballer."

What is Tom Cruise's net worth?

Cruise's net worth is believed to be around £432million, according to Parade.

Cruise had earlier been seen in the Wimbledon men's single final between Novak Djokovic and Matteo Berretini, which was won by the Serb.

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Thomas Cruise

Islington-born Thomas Cruise came to prominence in the 2009/10 season when he was named in the starting line-up for Arsenal's Champions League group stage match against Olympiacos. The young defender played the entire 90 minutes in Athens, performing admirably at left back. He signed a contract extension with Arsenal two months later and appeared prominently for the reserves on both the left side and in the centre of defence. Thomas was also an England Under-19 international. He was part of the FA Youth Cup-winning side of 2009 but struggled to find regular first-team football and joined Carlisle United on loan in the 2010/11 season. Cruise was released in summer 2011 and joined Torquay United the following year.

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30 years old this week: Tom Cruise's 'All The Right Moves'

• Steve Spears

All The Right Moves might be the best football movie of the '80s. Maybe one of the top football movies of any decade, outside of Rudy . Oh, and the one about the field-goal-kicking mule. And Tom Cruise 's opus to high school football turns 30 years old this week.

Released Oct. 21, 1983, All The Right Moves follows Stefen Djordjevic (Cruise), a Pennsylvania steel-town high schooler who's gifted both in the classroom and the gridiron. He has an understanding girlfriend (Lea Thompson) and an impatient coach (Craig T. Nelson), and all of them would love to book the next bus outta town for better opportunities. If Stefen could just put a nice showing in the big Walnut Heights game, he'll be set. Knock on wood.

Sadly, the movie has only a 53 percent "fresh" rating at Rottentomatoes.com. It's criticized for being sugar-coated and cliche-ridden, but if you ask me, it's still one of the most honest potrayals of high school football. Here are five things you probably didn't know about the movie.

5 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ALL THE RIGHT MOVES:

1. The town of "Ampipe" is fictional (based on the equally fictional American Pipe and Steel Co.), but it's probably based on Ambridge, a real town just northwest of Pittsburgh, which is based on American Bridge Co.

2. The uniforms and team colors of Cruise's team -- the Ampipe Bulldogs -- are the actual uniforms from Ferndale Area High School in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where the film was made.

3. Thompson and Cruise went undercover to high schools to research their roles. Cruise was discovered almost immediately -- he was recognized from the movie Taps . Thompson survived much longer, got asked out on dates and was even caught smoking.

4. The coach of the rival team Walnut Heights was an actual football coach in the area and served as technical consultant on the film.

5. The soundtrack is largely forgettable. The main theme song -- All The Right Moves -- was performed by Jennifer Warnes and Chris Thompson. Warnes is probably best known for Up Where We Belong , her duet with Joe Cocker from An Officer and a Gentleman.

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Why is Tom Cruise at the Euro 2020 final?

Spotted Hollywood star Tom Cruise in the Wembley crowd? Turns out Euro 2020 has made him quite the England fan

Tom Cruise is among the names on the UEFA guestlist for Sunday night's Euro 2020 final between Italy and England.

The American actor, 59, is not a renowned football fan, but seems to have become caught up in the national fervour around Euro 2020 while in the UK this summer.

Cruise already sent the England squad a motivational video message, which the team watched on Friday night, along with a screening of his upcoming film Top Gun: Maverick , which won't be out until November.

While he will enjoy the football on Sunday evening, his sporting weekend already included a trip to the men's Wimbledon tennis final earlier in the day.

England manager Gareth Southgate said the team were "very fortunate" to have got the message from Cruise – though admits he didn't see it himself.

"They had a preview of a film that’s due out further down the line and they had Tom dial in to speak to them which was, I would imagine, quite surreal," Southgate said. "I was in a meeting watching videos of Italy but that’s another story."

Other special guests at the match include Prince William, who is president of the English FA, football stars Sir Geoff Hurst, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Fabio Capello, Robbie Keane, Gianluca Zambrotta, Alessandro Nesta, Mauricio Pochettino and supermodel Kate Moss.

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The official guest list for the Euro 2020 final pic.twitter.com/wU0xKMeeT0 July 11, 2021

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Conor Pope is the former Online Editor of FourFourTwo, overseeing all digital content. He plays football regularly, and has a large, discerning and ever-growing collection of football shirts from around the world.

He supports Blackburn Rovers and holds a season ticket with south London non-league side Dulwich Hamlet. His main football passions include Tugay, the San Siro and only using a winter ball when it snows.

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Tom Cruise’s Character in ‘Jerry Maguire’ Was Based on a Big-Name NFL Agent

If you’ll forgive the pun, Tom Cruise made nearly All the Right Moves for more than a decade, beginning with the 1983 movie about a football prodigy looking to college football as his escape from a rust-belt steel mill town. Ten or so major hits later, Cruise starred in Jerry Maguire , another sports movie. It’s one that premiered 25 years ago this week and owes a debt to Leigh Steinberg, one of the best-known and most successful agents in football history.

‘Jerry Maguire’ continued an incredible run for actor Tom Cruise

The lack of Academy Awards honors doesn’t detract from the fact that Tom Cruise has appeared in some of Hollywood’s biggest hits and played numerous memorable characters along the way, beginning with Risky Business and All the Right Moves in 1983. Top Gun, The Color of Money , and Rain Man followed soon afterward. Throw in Days of Thunder, A Few Good Men , and The Firm , and Cruise earned a well-deserved mulligan for Cocktail .

Cruise’s 1996 releases included the first installment of the Mission Impossible franchise and a sports movie that the producers marketed brilliantly. Targeted commercials and other promotions led women to believe Jerry Maguire was a love story between Cruise and Renee Zellweger. Meanwhile, the campaign aimed at men focused on Cuba Gooding Jr. playing a wide receiver who puts his next contract negotiation in the hands of a character that NFL agent Leigh Steinberg helped screenwriter Cameron Crowe bring to life.

The formula worked. The movie scored five Oscar nominations, though Cruise lost out on the best actor nod, and grossed triple its $50 million budget domestically.

Leigh Steinberg brought a wealth of knowledge to ‘Jerry Maguire’

Though beset by personal and financial problems at various junctures of his career, Leigh Steinberg leveraged his law degree from Cal-Berkeley in 1973 into a legendary career as a sports agent focused primarily on football players and boxers. Steinberg has represented a record eight No. 1 overall picks in NFL drafts, and his speakers’ bureau biography credits him with negotiating $4 billion in contracts.

Steinberg’s clients have included quarterbacks Troy Aikman and Steve Young, and boxers Oscar De La Hoya and Lennox Lewis. The producers of Jerry Maguire recruited Steinberg as a consultant and even gave him a cameo. In true agent fashion, he arranged a walk-on role for Aikman in the movie. Another of the agent’s clients, former San Francisco 49ers player Tim McDonald, is credited with coining Gooding Jr.’s iconic “Show me the money” line.

According to Moviefone.com , Steinberg turned down the slightly meatier role of agent Jerry Maguire’s brother because he didn’t want to look like a villain. “To this day, I may be the only actor who ever talked his way out of a scene with Tom Cruise,” he said.

More facts about the Tom Cruise hit movie

Tom Cruise earned a best actor nomination for his portrayal of fictional agent Jerry Maguire, modeled after Leigh Steinberg, but lost out to Geoffrey Rush of Shine . However, co-star Cuba Gooding Jr. won the best supporting actor for his work as Arizona Cardinals receiver Rod Tidwell . Among the nominees he beat out were William H. Macy ( Fargo ), Edward Norton ( Primal Fear ), and James Woods ( Ghosts of Mississippi ).

A few additional tidbits to note on the 25 th anniversary of Jerry Maguire’s release:  

• Paula Abdul choreographed Gooding Jr.’s end zone celebration.
• The 27-page mission statement that Cruise’s character wrote, leading to his firing, exists. Cameron Crowe wrote it and posted it online . Alice in Chains frontman Jerry Cantrell portrayed the clerk at the store who printed the copies.
• Moviefone.com reported that Rebook spent $1.5 million to have its shoes featured in a commercial by Gooding’s character that was supposed to appear in the movie. It was cut from the theatrical version of Jerry Maguire but added back into the made-for-TV edit as part of a settlement with the studio.

With the Cardinals sitting at 10-2 entering their Monday Night Football game against the Los Angeles Rams, the time might be right to rent the movie and enjoy.

Like Sportscasting on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @sportscasting19 .

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John Moriello

John Moriello started covering sports in 1982, began digital publishing in 1995, and joined Sportscasting in 2020. A graduate of St. John Fisher University, he finds inspiration in the underdogs and the fascinating stories sports can tell (both the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat ). John expertly covers all aspects of NASCAR.

Beginning with his 2014 coverage at Fox Sports of the aftermath of the dirt-race tragedy in which Kevin Ward Jr. died after being struck by a car driven by NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart, John has excelled as a journalist who specializes in the motorsports world. He previously spent more than three decades covering high school sports and worked as a beat writer covering Big East football and basketball, but NASCAR is now where the true expertise falls.

John is a member of the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame (2013), the President of the New York State Sportswriters Association, and a two-time Best of Gannett winner for print and online collaborations whose work has appeared on FoxSports.com and MaxPreps.com.

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England squad get Tom Cruise team talk after special Top Gun: Maverick screening as Red Arrows plan iconic display over Wembley ahead of Euro 2020 final against Italy

• Published : 20:38, 11 Jul 2021
• Updated : 20:40, 11 Jul 2021
• Published : Invalid Date,

The England team received a very special message from Hollywood legend Tom Cruise on the eve of their Euro 2020 final against Italy.

But manager Gareth Southgate, ever the professional, missed it for another, far more important film... of their opponents.

The Three Lions were treated on Friday night to an exclusive screening of Cruise’s latest blockbuster, highly anticipated sequel Top Gun: Maverick, which isn’t released until next month.

And after watching the movie at St George’s Park, the England players were then surprised by an appearance from star of the film, Cruise, himself.

The American star dialled in on FaceTime to speak with the team ahead of Sunday’s huge final, with the pressure of a nation and generations of hurt on their shoulders.

Cruise was actually a special guest of UEFA's at Wembley and was seen in the stands bumping fists with David Beckham in the stands as they celebrated Luke Shaw's opener.

You can imagine the team talk they would have been give by Cruise ahead of the game, but nobody knows exactly what was said, as the entire team were forced to sign non-disclosure agreements banning them from talking about the yet to be released movie and their conversation with Cruise.

But it is understood the squad were understandably thrilled about speaking to one of the biggest stars on the planet, who is a good friend of former England captain Beckham.

“The lads had a preview of a film that is due out and also had Tom dial in to speak to them," Southgate revealed.

“I would imagine it was all quite surreal. They were very fortunate, although they all had to sign a form.

“I was in another meeting watching videos on Italy – which is another story - but I think they all enjoyed the experience.

“They've had a good week really, with Ed Sheeran and Tom Cruise - that's the life of an England footballer.”

The red arrows know pic.twitter.com/eKF2Nzpax9 — neil oflynn (@neiloflynn6) July 11, 2021

Ipswich Town fan and Grammy Award winning singer-songwriting superstar Sheeran put on a special gig for the England squad last month before the tournament began.

He has since been spotted at a number of the Three Lions’ matches at Euro 2020 and is likely to be back in the Wembley stands for the final.

That’s not the only Top Gun experience the England players will have before the final, though, with the Red Arrows set to perform one of their iconic displays over the Wembley roof ahead of kick-off.

The RAF display team will take off from an air base in Bournemouth at around 7:27pm and will be due to fly over the stadium shortly at 7:48pm - 12 minutes before the game is due to begin.

Tune into talkSPORT from 8pm for LIVE commentary of Italy vs England in the Euro 2020 from Wembley!

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The Shirtless Football Scene On Top Gun: Maverick Led To Some 'Emotional Breakdowns' On Set

Shooting the football scene involved an immense amount of gym time, and on the day the scene was filmed, some actors were struggling.

Tom Cruise 's latest movie, Top Gun: Maverick , may well become the biggest film of 2022. So far , this highly anticipated sequel has already eclipsed all of Cruise’s previous hit films , having made at least $160 million during the Memorial Day weekend.

RELATED: Jon Hamm Says He Would Have Done 'Top Gun: Maverick' At Any Pay Rate

Top Gun: Maverick sees Cruise reprise the film’s titular character, a role that he previously played almost three decades ago. Meanwhile, true to the original, the latest movie also features a football scene that’s similar to the volleyball one that the actor and original co-star, Val Kilmer , shot before.

This time, however, there are more shirtless men (and a whole lot more sweat). Unbeknownst to many too, it was the very scene that also led to some emotional distress while on the set.

The Football Scene Was To ‘Show Off’ Tom Cruise And His Co-Stars

The original Top Gun introduced fans to Cruise’s Maverick as a fighter pilot who is never afraid to take risks in the air, much to the annoyance of his fellow pilots and commanders. And while there are plenty of scenes involving air action, the most popular scene from the movie to date is still the volleyball scene.

The late Tony Scott, who directed the movie, once admitted that although the scene was unnecessary, it made for great eye candy . “I didn’t have a vision of what I was doing other than just doing soft p***,” Scott lightheartedly remarked while doing an interview in honor of the film’s 30th anniversary.

“I knew I had to show off all the guys, but I didn’t have a point of view… so I just shot the s*** out of it. I got the guys to get all their gear off and their pants and sprayed them in baby oil.”

Aside from Cruise, Kilmer also appears shirtless in the scene. However, he barely had full-body shots compared to his co-star.

“I always suspected Tom Cruise might have cooked my volleyball close-ups. If you notice, I don’t have any,” the actor jokingly added. “I think Tom went in there, a little payola [to get them excised] because I looked good.”

No Way A ‘Top Gun’ Sequel Was Getting Made Without A Shirtless Sports Scene

With the volleyball scene in the original film being so iconic, there was no way that it can be left out once Cruise finally agreed to do a sequel.

“When people found out I was working on Top Gun , that was usually their first question, ‘Is there going to be a shirtless, oily, volleyball scene?’ And the answer that everyone wanted me to say was yes,” Joseph Kosinski, who directed Top Gun: Maverick recalled.

“So I knew it was kind of a requirement and how disappointed people would be if it wasn't in there.”

RELATED: Miles Teller Almost Turned Down His Role Opposite Tom Cruise in 'Top Gun: Maverick'

Once that was settled, Kosinski also figured that they would do more than just another volleyball scene. “So then the thing was like: How do we work it into our story? Because we're not just gonna do it for the sake of doing it. There's got to be a reason for Maverick to allow his pilots to do this,” he explained.

“So writer Ehren Kruger coined the term 'dog fight football,' offense and defense at the same time, which seemed like a great concept. Again it seemed like it turned it into a teachable moment, right? And so once we felt like it was there for a reason, we had fun with it.”

Cast Members Had ‘Emotional Breakdowns’ While Filming The Shirtless Football Scene

Once the cast knew that the scene was happening, they understood what had to be done next. They had to get buffed in time and that meant going through an intense preparation regimen.

“Those actors had that date on the calendar circled six months out as you can imagine,” Kosinski said. “And they’re working out in the gym until midnight the night before, starving themselves.”

Actor Glen Powell, who was also in the iconic scene, also recalled that everyone was getting ready to do it up to the last moment .

“It was every cast member, until about midnight, the day before we shot that, in that gym, trying to eke out the last bit of anything they had, just trying to do crunches and pull-ups,” the actor recalled. “On game day, there was [sic] resistance bands and weights on the beach. It was so funny.”

RELATED: Details About The Extraordinary 'Top Gun: Maverick' Cast

And when Kosinski was finally ready to do the shot, some started having “emotional breakdowns” after discovering that they may not be shown shirtless after all.

“Originally, I conceived the scene as shirts versus skins. And I got there, and I started dividing them up, you know, shirt, skin, shirt, skins. And everyone who I told was a shirt started having emotional breakdowns,” the director explained.

“One of the actors came up to me and said ‘I've been working out for six months! Please, please don't make me put on the t-shirt.’”

In the end, Kosinski decided that everyone can be skins. And now, the latest football scene has got everyone talking again.

NEXT: The Real Reason Tom Cruise Refused To Let 'Top Gun: Maverick' Go Straight To Streaming

Did Tom Cruise Play Sports?

26 july 2022.

If you’re one of the millions of people who are seen “Top Gun: Maverick,” you know that Tom Cruise is a pretty athletic guy.

If you’re a Cruise fan, you know just how athletic Cruise is, especially when it comes to doing the daring stunts that are part and parcel of his movies.

But those same stunts raise an obvious question-is Tom Cruise really an athlete, or is it all just movie magic? The answers will surprise you in at least a couple of ways, so let’s explore.

High School Hero

Back when he was in high school, Tom Cruise was fairly serious about sports. He played soccer, wrestled, and ran track, and he was slated to be a star middle linebacker for his high school football team in Glen Ridge, New Jersey when he was caught drinking beer before a game and bounded from the squad.

That kind of risky business didn’t seem to hurt Cruise’s career in the long haul, though. The one big obstacle Cruise faced when he was younger was dyslexia, which he hide the fact that he was functionally illiterate from his classmates.

Even Cruise himself didn’t know at that point that his athleticism would play a prominent role in his success as a movie star.

A lot of that was about his stunning handsomeness, but Cruise worked hard to hone his skills as an actor, and using his athleticism to his advantage was a major part of that.

The Ultimate Athletic Action Hero

It was during his roles in action movies that Cruise’s athleticism truly began to emerge. He’s always taken care of himself, but he quickly acquired a reputation as a daredevil when he insisted on doing his own dangerous stunts.

Many of those stunts are legendary, especially the ones that have him leaping from buildings in the “Mission Impossible” series. Cruise may not be a competitive athlete on the professional level, but every stunt man who’s ever done what cruise is done knows the strength and speed that goes into those kinds of stunts.

There’s serious danger involved, too. Taking a hit in the NFL or a charge in the NBA might hurt, but those kinds of hits are rarely life-threatening.

The stunts in the movies are. Plenty of safeguards are put in place, but stuntmen live with broken bones as a factor of life, and Tom Cruise took on the same kind of risks they did.

Cruising Speed

The one element of Tom Cruise’s athleticism that has come under scrutiny recently is his speed, especially now that Cruise has turned 60.

Based on his role in “Top Gun: Maverick,” several media outlets have done some probing interviews about the speed Cruise has shown in his most recent movies.

Those interviews were revealing, to say the least. It was Cruise himself who brought attention to his speed when he finally joined Instagram, and his self-assessment steered clear of obvious choices like “three-time Oscar nominee,” or “sold $10 billion worth of movie tickets.” Instead, Cruise cited himself as an actor and producer, but the tag for those two jobs was shocking: “been running in movies since 1981.”

ESPN was curious about this, of course, so they asked some telling questions to some very high-level track stars to analyze Cruise’s technique.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee was one of those who analyzed Cruise’s style, and while she said that certain things he said were designed to make him look good on film, his stiff but disciplined running style actually wasn’t bad at all.

But track stars like Joyner-Kersee weren’t the only ones who broke down Cruise’s style. Given the vagaries of modern video technology, various video experts have clocked Cruise at just over 15 mph when he runs, and Cruise himself has said he’s hit 17 mph.

The final words were put in by marathoner Will Blase, who claims that Cruise might be the fastest actor ever to hit the silver screen. He broke down Cruise’s speed against that of Tom Hanks in “Forrest Gump,” Harrison Ford’s sprint to escape from a builder in “Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Stallone’s staircase spring in “Rocky II,” and Cruise won the imaginary gold medal.

Don’t expect Cruise to stop going for the gold, athletically speaking. His ambition doesn’t seem to have diminished much at all, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him running for his life and for big box office receipts-in whatever movie he decides to do next.

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LOOK: Tom Cruise attends first college football game -- Florida at LSU

Tom cruise attended the florida-lsu game in a suite at tiger stadium in baton rouge..

There are few events quite like an LSU night game in Baton Rouge. Getting the chance to take in a night game at Tiger Stadium is on most college football fans' bucket list.

Tom Cruise made the trip over from New Orleans -- where he's apparently shooting a film -- to Baton Rouge for the Florida-LSU game on Saturday night.

When it's Saturday Night in Tiger Stadium, the stars come out to see @LSUfball . Great to have you, @TomCruise ! #LSU pic.twitter.com/28qQzCirwd — LSU Tigers (@LSUsports) October 18, 2015

Tom Cruise (black shirt) stands and applauds Harris to Dupre TD pass in Joe Alleva's booth. #LSU pic.twitter.com/yttdqnaZ3T — Scott Rabalais (@RabalaisAdv) October 18, 2015

Cruise is apparently attending his first ever college football game, so he's getting quite the experience.

Tom Cruise update: Joe Alleva just texted me that this is Tom's first college football game. #LSU — Scott Rabalais (@RabalaisAdv) October 18, 2015

How is he enjoying it? 

Tom Cruise, during our pee together, on #LSU game (his first CFB game): "Memorable. Exciting. Everything else will pale in comparison." — Ross Dellenger (@DellengerAdv) October 18, 2015

Cruise could also be scouting out his next installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, where the task at hand will be figuring out a way to tackle Leonard Fournette. 

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All 7 Tom Cruise Cameo Roles, Ranked Worst To Best

• Tom Cruise's career showcases his versatility in dramatic, action-packed, and comedic roles, solidifying his status as a bankable star for over four decades.
• Despite being known for leading roles, Cruise has taken on unexpected cameos and minor parts, showcasing his talent even with minimal screen time.
• Some of Cruise's cameos include Young Guns and Austin Powers in Goldmember, while his minor roles came in Rock of Ages, The Outsiders, and more.

Tom Cruise has delivered many of the most memorable leading roles in modern film history, but he's also made cameo appearances in some unexpected movies. Cruise's career spans over four decades and covers practically every genre imaginable. His filmography includes no shortage of iconic movies, and as a result, he's maintained his status as a bankable star since the 1980s.

Cruise has delivered heart-pounding action in the beloved Top Gun and Mission: Impossibl e franchises, but he's also been praised for his dramatic turns in films like Magnolia and Born on the Fourth of July , both of which earned him Academy Award nominations. As such, Cruise is mainly thought of as a dramatic and action-based actor, especially in recent years. However, his earlier filmography proves that he's just as comfortable in comedic roles, such as Risky Business .

Although Cruise has done a lot of work as a leading man, he isn't afraid to take on unexpected cameos, some of which make him look virtually unrecognizable . Beyond cameos, Cruise has appeared in minor roles in several projects, especially early in his career, proving that he can make a huge impact even with a minimal amount of screen time. Many of Cruise's cameos and minor roles have allowed him to show off his talent beyond his typical leading man status. These cameos and smaller roles also prove that Cruise is a box office draw, even when he's barely in the movie.

Tom Cruise's New Deal Gives Him A Chance To Do What He Hasn't Done In 14 Years

Young guns (1988), as henchman shot off of roof (uncredited).

Cruise is not given very much to do in Young Guns , which focuses on the life of Billy the Kid. He only appears in a brief, uncredited role as Henchman Shot off of Roof. Cruise is difficult to even recognize in the film, as he's only seen from a distance and is wearing a fake mustache. Interestingly, Cruise only appeared in the movie because he was visiting friends on set, and the director, Christopher Cain, decided to include him in a shot of the climactic final battle.

Young Guns stars Emilio Estevez, whom Cruise previously worked with on The Outsiders .

Although the Young Guns role is unremarkable, it does show Cruise's early interest in stunt work . Today, Cruise is notorious for performing his own stunts , especially ones that are challenging and dangerous. It's become a hallmark of his career, helping him stand apart from actors of the same age and giving audiences an incentive to check out his films in theaters. Cruise's willingness to topple off a roof for an uncredited role proves that he has always been game for any part, no matter how physically demanding.

Director Christopher Cain

Release Date August 12, 1988

Cast Casey Siemaszko, Charlie Sheen, Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, Jack Palance, Lou Diamond Phillips, Terence Stamp, Dermot Mulroney

Runtime 107 Minutes

Endless Love (1981)

Cruise's very first on-screen role came in 1981's Endless Love , a romantic drama starring Brooke Shields and Martin Hewitt. Cruise only appears briefly as Billy, a friend of Hewitt's character who recounts how he once set his crush's house on fire. Cruise, who was 19 at the time, seems like a completely different person from the movie star that audiences would grow to love just a few years later. His voice is notably higher, and he spends most of the scene dressed in only a pair of jean shorts.

The Endless Love scene itself is fairly unmemorable, but it does mark the beginning of Cruise's life as an actor, making it fun to revisit now. The role also kickstarted one of the most iconic trends in Cruise's career . When Billy is introduced, he's running during a soccer game before taking a break to chat with Hewitt's character. Running became one of Cruise's signature moves as a movie star, thanks to his distinct approach. It's interesting to see this development foreshadowed in his very first role.

Rock of Ages (2012)

As stacee jaxx.

The jukebox musical Rock of Ages is generally considered to be a misstep in Cruise's career, though his part is small enough that it didn't negatively impact his future success. The movie was a box office bomb and was panned by critics, currently holding a rating of only 42% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, Cruise at least commits to the role of flamboyant rock star Stacee Jaxx. He channels real-life rock inspirations Axl Rose and Keith Richards, decked out in tattoos and heavy eyeliner that effectively make him disappear into the character.

Cruise even performed all of his own vocals for the film, singing the classic rock hits "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and "Wanted Dead Or Alive." Despite the film's overall lack of quality, it's obvious that Cruise enjoyed playing against his usual heroic type , and audiences got a kick out of seeing him show off a different side as well. His performance is so fun to watch that it almost makes up for how difficult the rest of the movie is to sit through.

The Outsiders (1983)

As steve randle.

In 1983, the same year Cruise starred in his career-defining film Risky Business , he also made an appearance in Francis Ford Coppola's adaptation of The Outsiders . The star-studded cast of The Outsiders featured several up-and-coming young actors, and, in hindsight, provides a fascinating preview of where Hollywood would go in the next few decades. Cruise was cast as Steve Randle, the best friend of Rob Lowe's Sodapop Curtis, and more than held his own even in this minor role.

Cruise is charming and funny, bringing occasional moments of levity to a movie full of extremely serious topics , and it's no wonder that this performance helped jumpstart his career as an actor. However, Cruise's role is very minor, and the character ends up getting lost among all the other standout performances from actors like Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, and Ralph Macchio. Additionally, although Cruise always commits to his characters, his attempt at Randle's Southern drawl is pretty unconvincing. While this misstep can be forgiven as Cruise was still quite early in his career, it does his performance no favors.

The Outsiders

Director Francis Ford Coppola

Release Date March 25, 1983

Cast Patrick swayze, Emilio Estevez, Diane Lane, C. Thomas Howell, Tom Cruise, Ralph Macchio, Rob Lowe, Matt Dillon

Runtime 91 minutes

Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)

As tom cruise (as austin powers).

The third installment of the Austin Powers trilogy opens with a self-parody of the franchise where it's revealed that Cruise (as himself) is playing Austin alongside several other high-profile stars, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Danny DeVito, and John Travolta. The film-within-a-film also ends up being a spoof of the Mission: Impossible movies, parodying their high-tech gadgets and absurd stunts. This meta casting is a perfect encapsulation of where Cruise's career was at the time .

Steven Spielberg also appears in the opening scene of Austin Powers in Goldmember as the director of the parody.

In the early 2000s, Cruise was on a run of critical and commercial hits which elevated him to becoming one of the biggest movie stars around. It makes sense that, in the world of Austin Powers , he would be the top choice to play the larger-than-life spy. Although Cruise's role in the film is contained to just the one scene, it's still an incredible performance. His straight-to-camera delivery of Powers' catchphrase " yeah, baby " is one of the movie's funniest moments. Similar to Cruise's role in Rock of Ages , his Austin Powers cameo also showed the actor's willingness to poke fun at himself.

Austin Powers in Goldmember

Director Jay Roach

Release Date July 26, 2002

Cast Verne Troyer, Mike Myers, Seth Green, Michael Caine, Michael York, Robert Wagner, Fred Savage, Mindy Sterling, Beyonc

Rating PG-13

Runtime 94 Minutes

Taps (1981)

As cadet captain david shawn.

Taps is only Cruise's second film role. However, even with a lack of experience, Cruise manages to make a huge impact on screen. According to director Harold Becker, Cruise was originally meant to appear as a background character, but his performance was so engaging that they offered him an expanded role . Cruise appears in the film as Cadet Captain David Shawn, a high-ranking but hotheaded student at the Bunker Hill Military Academy who winds up having a big impact.

Following the tragic events of the film, Shawn opens fire on the forces coming to shut down the school, deciding to go out in a blaze of glory rather than surrender to them. His final words, " It's beautiful, man, " as he fires his machine gun became the film's most iconic quote, showing Cruise's ability to make a meal out of even a small part. His performance is incredibly powerful, especially for someone still in the early stages of his career. Looking back, the Taps role marks the beginning of Cruise's rise to movie stardom and hints at even brighter things to come.

Tropic Thunder (2008)

As les grossman.

Cruise is almost unrecognizable as Tropic Thunder 's Les Grossman, the hilarious but morally bankrupt studio head behind the titular film. The character was intended as a parody of many of the abusive executives that the cast and crew had worked with during their careers, and Cruise intentionally made Grossman's appearance as grotesque as possible. His receding hairline, comically hairy chest, and oversized prosthetic hands were all decided on by Cruise to bring the ridiculous character to life.

Although Cruise's role in the film is brief, his scene shouting nonsensical profane insults at the Flaming Dragon gang over the phone is one of the most memorable parts of the movie. The follow-up scene where he persuades Matthew McConaughey's character Rick to abandon his best friend to the gang memorably occurs as Grossman dances to Flo Rida's "Low." Like Cruise's work in Rock of Ages and Austin Powers in Goldmember , it's a great example of the actor not taking himself too seriously . It's also one of the most absurd moments in Tom Cruise 's career and deserves props for its sheer audacity and confidence.

Tropic Thunder

Director Ben Stiller

Release Date August 13, 2008

Cast Matthew McConaughey, Tom Cruise, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Ben Stiller

Runtime 107 minutes

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Zack Snyder says Tom Cruise wanted to play this surprising Watchmen character

• Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later. More content below

Zack Snyder says Tom Cruise wanted to play a pretty surprising character in his 2009 comic book movie Watchmen.

"I wanted Tom Cruise for Ozymandias. Tom wanted to play Rorschach," Snyder told the Happy Sad and Confused podcast. "Which he obviously could have done, but we already had [Jackie Earle Haley] and Jackie is unbelievable. But I certainly would have considered Tom in retrospect if I hadn't had Jackie."

Watchmen, based on the DC Comics limited series of the same name, hit theaters in 2009. Snyder directed the dark and dystopian superhero pic from a screenplay by David Hayer (Warrior Nun) and Alex Tse (Gran Turismo).

Walter Kovacs aka Rorschach is a vigilante who styles himself like an old-timey detective and dons a mask with shifting black and white patterns that resemble the ink blots on a Rorschach test. Haley's audition was shot in the living room and kitchen areas of Haley's house, with the actor wearing a makeshift Rorschach outfit that he put together himself.

The part of Adrian Veidt aka Ozymandias, a retired superhero with genius-level intellect and peak human strength, went to Matthew Goode. To this day, Cruise has yet to star in a superhero movie.

The film ultimately underperformed at the box office, grossing only $187 million against a budget of $150 million, but subsequently gained a cult following. Watchmen also, of course, has a Snyder Cut consisting of 24 minutes of additional footage.

Watchmen is streaming now on Max. For more, check out our list of the most exciting upcoming movies in 2024 and beyond, or, skip straight to the good stuff with our complete list of movie release dates .

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Tom Cruise Was Once Considered For Iron Man, But There Was Another Superhero Movie He Also 'Flirted' With

Two very different flavors of Cruise could have been present in the world of comic movies.

You don’t get to be an acting talent like Tom Cruise without racking up an obscene amount of “what if” stories. While we know the man as the lead of the Mission: Impossible movies , and a stunt performing daredevil extraordinaire, there were a couple times in his career that comic book movies came a calling. 

And while we already know about Cruise’s potential role in the then developing Iron Man franchise, it turns out that Zack Snyder’s Watchmen was apparently another project that could have seen the star of some of the best action movies in the world playing an anti-hero. 

The Watchmen Characters Tom Cruise Was Considered For

As if Zack Snyder’s bombshell about Leonardo DiCaprio being considered for the role of Lex Luthor wasn’t enough of a shock, the director’s Happy Sad Confused interview also yielded this juicy gem. And apparently, while the Rebel Moon director wanted Tom Cruise to play one role, the man behind Ethan Hunt was gunning for the polar opposite. Take a look for yourself: 

Tom Cruise wanted to be in WATCHMEN. But only as…wait for it…Rorschach. Another bombshell @ZackSnyder dropped in our chat. The full chat: https://t.co/qDTvcxgxfu pic.twitter.com/uLeM7UMESw April 18, 2024

I’m going to set aside the fact that, like Josh Horowitz, I consider the casting of Watchmen to be perfect. I can’t see either Jackie Earle Haley or Matthew Goode not playing Rorschach or Ozymandias at this point, but for the sake of academic curiosity, I’m going to pretend I can. With that caveat in place, I’d honestly have a hard time picking which role Tom Cruise would be better suited for. 

Cruise’s Rorschach feels like it’d be a modified version of his Vincent character from Collateral , whereas Ozymandias would be a variation on his aloof killer archetype as Lestat from Interview with the Vampire . That second scenario would have been a particularly good showcase for Tom, as that character basically launches into a Watchmen ending explained monologue in the third act.

Both characters hold echoes of some of Tom Cruise's best movies. So to all of a sudden hear that Zack Snyder had met with the man to try and cast him in this epic comic adaptation has replaced Iron Man as the greater “what if” for Cruise’s potential career in comic movies. Which, after all this time, is no easy feat.

That Time Tom Cruise ‘Flirted’ With Playing Iron Man

If anyone ever wanted to know how forward thinking Tom Cruise is when it comes to movies, consider this: the man was flirting with comic book movies before the boom had truly taken off. While the ultimate reason for Cruise’s Iron Man refusal was classic Hollywood dealing, the man was circling these sorts of opportunities before they were cool. 

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History shook out the way it did, and Robert Downey Jr .’s iconic casting won out. That hasn’t stopped people from pondering over how a Cruise-led Iron Man could have looked. Especially since, on the Tom Cruise Continuum of Characters, Tony Stark feels like a more cavalier and grown up version of Risky Business’ Joel Goodsen.

Twice before we almost saw Tom Cruise landing a comic book movie icon on his resume; and who knows? We might just see him land that sort of role in the future, provided he wants to go down that road. The Multiverse of both DC and Marvel are vast, and there's surely someone Cruise would be down to play in the name of four paneled fun. 

As it stands, the Watchmen we have at home is a sterling example of comic book adaptations done right. So should you want to revisit that movie, with or without visions of Tom Cruise participating, you can do just that. At the time of this publication, a Max subscription is all that’s required to catch up once again with those costumed heroes. 

Mike Reyes is the Senior Movie Contributor at CinemaBlend, though that title’s more of a guideline really. Passionate about entertainment since grade school, the movies have always held a special place in his life, which explains his current occupation. Mike graduated from Drew University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, but swore off of running for public office a long time ago. Mike's expertise ranges from James Bond to everything Alita, making for a brilliantly eclectic resume. He fights for the user.

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Tom Cruise’s ice cold telling off to man who pranked him on red carpet still divides audiences

The actor's reaction to a bit of water split fans.

Britt Jones

Pranking often comes with the chance that you’ll receive a reaction you’re not expecting, but if it’s a celeb telling you off, it’s even worse.

This is why Tom Cruise ’s stern words to a prankster on the red carpet continues to divide viewers almost two decades on.

It was all the way back in 2005 when the star was talking to media at the London premiere for Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds .

A Channel 4 prankster posing as a reporter decided it was his shot to get Cruise a little wet in the face as part of a gag.

So, when the time came for the actor to walk up and provide an interview, he was shot in the face with a stream of water from the microphone.

Evidently shocked and more than a little annoyed, he asked the man ‘why would you do that’, and quickly batted away the trick item before pulling the prankster forward.

The Top Gun star was understandably not happy to have fallen victim to the prank in front of so many people and let loose on the guy.

Cruise asked: “What’s so funny about that?”

“It’s ridiculous,” he added.

As the joker seemed to apologise and try to defend himself, the actor still didn’t seem to see the funny side of the prank.

He said: “You like doing mean things to people?”

The Mission Impossible frontman had his face wiped with a towel and didn’t let the prankster try to walk away.

He said: “Hey, hey, no, no, don’t run away.

“Don’t run away, it’s incredibly rude. I’m here giving you an interview and answering your questions and you do something really nasty.

“You’re a jerk. You’re a jerk. You know what, you’re a jerk.”

At the time of the incident, Cruise’s response left divided people as many thought he was in the right, while others believed he was well out of order.

Some X, formerly Twitter, users said he said ‘nothing wrong’ in his response to the prank, is ‘absolutely right’ and that: “Childish behaviour calls for being spoken to like a child.”

One also wrote: “I don’t even like Tom Cruise but he’s spot on here.”

The awkward interview moment still lives on almost two decades later.

However, one put: “The moment it happened, I felt scared. Tom Cruise seems very nice a lot of the time, but you just would not f**k with him.”

Another wrote: “He’s honestly terrifying.”

And someone else said: “He’s not wrong at all but I mean it’s a bit of water, it’s not that deep.”

Channel 4 ended up releasing an apology to Cruise after the incident as according to the broadcaster, it was just meant to be ‘light-hearted’ for some comedy.

"The stunt was intended to be light-hearted rather than malicious and we would apologise to Mr Cruise for any offence that was caused," Channel 4 said in a statement.

"The incident that took place on Sunday evening involving Tom Cruise was for a new Channel 4 entertainment show, part of which involves playing light-hearted comedy pranks on celebrities and members of the public."

Well, let’s hope that there’s no more red-carpet funny business with Cruise from now on, especially with all the hype from Top Gun: Maverick dropping on Netflix on Friday (22 March).

Leave the man alone!

Topics:  Celebrity , Netflix , Tom Cruise , Top Gun , YouTube , TV and Film

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10 dc characters tom cruise would be perfect for in james gunn’s dc universe.

Tom Cruise praised DC's The Flash, and as one of the most sought-after movie stars, the actor could bring to life some amazing characters in the DCU.

• Tom Cruise's stunt experience makes him perfect for delivering groundbreaking superhero action on the big screen.
• Cruise could join DC as mentor character
• Cruise would be perfect for the Green Lantern Hal Jordan, who he has been fancast as for years.

Tom Cruise has yet to join a superhero franchise, and the actor could do so by becoming part of James Gunn's DC Universe , with Cruise's talents fitting some exciting DC characters. Cruise has become one of the most interesting movie stars to watch, with the actor consistently delivering crowd-pleasing movies that also score well with critics . Some movies helped define Cruise's career , with his action role in the Mission Impossible franchise as Ethan Hunt being his most popular character.

Throughout seven Mission Impossible movies so far, Cruise has shown that he has a knack for stunts like few actors. At DC, the star could deliver some of the most complex and impactful action sequences superhero movies have ever seen. Further tying Cruise to DC is the fact that he was one of the people who watched 2023's The Flash before its release and sang heavy praise for the film . Cruise also signed a deal to produce and star in original and franchise movies for Warner Bros., making his debut in future DC movies possible.

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10 the human target, the actor would be great for a noir story.

James Gunn has assembled an all-star roster of writers to help him craft the DCU . Among them is DC Comics' Tom King, who Gunn revealed was one of the first people who read his script for the Superman reboot movie and has praised several of his comics at DC. King and artist Greg Smallwood created the perfect DC limited series for Cruise to star in the DCU.

Cruise would be a solid choice to take on the role of Christopher Chance, aka the Human Target. The character can disguise himself as anybody he signs on to serve as a bodyguard — using realistic masks like Cruise's Ethan Hunt does in the Mission Impossible movies — putting himself in danger to protect his clients. DC Comics' "The Human Target" followed Chance as a PI unraveling the mystery of his own murder, and the noir story would fit Cruise's nuanced acting style, evoking his early career work .

9 The Flash (Jay Garrick)

Cruise would be a great mentor to other heroes.

Another hero Cruise could be great as is Jay Garrick, the original bearer of the Flash mantle . Cruise already has a connection to the speedster through his praise for Ezra Miller's The Flash movie, which means the actor could be inclined to take on a role within that side of the franchise. Cruise's running in his movies has also become a popular trait of his, so having him play a version of the Flash in the DCU would be a fun bit of casting in that way.

More importantly, Cruise has the skills to be one of the best mentors in the DCU. In Top Gun: Maverick , Cruise excelled as a famous action hero who was now in charge of training the next generation . Cruise's Jay Garrick could follow that same line, helping Barry Allen, Wally West, and any other possible Flashes to reach top form thanks to his years of expertise.

8 Green Lantern (Alan Scott)

The role could make a long-time fan request come true.

Cruise could also be an interesting pick for another original bearer of an iconic DC hero title — the Green Lantern Alan Scott. While Cruise has never been part of a superhero franchise, he has often been fancast in Marvel and DC roles. His most popular DC fan casting has been as Green Lantern , and given the actor's age, the 61-year-old Cruise might be able to make that dream from fans come true as the veteran version of Green Lantern.

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With Nathan Fillion playing Guy Gardner in Superman and Hal Jordan & John Stewart confirmed for DC's Lanterns series , it could be possible for Alan Scott to be included in the franchise. Cruise would be a big name to be part of the DCU's Justice Society of America , helping give the universe another major team other than the Justice League.

7 The Question

The actor has the right energy for the role.

Tom Cruise has the kind of hand-to-hand fighting experience and talent in darker roles that would make him perfect to take on a street-level vigilante in the DCU. That character could be Vic Sage, aka The Question. It would be interesting to see Cruise truly lose himself in the role, as The Question's signature mask would make it so the actor's face would not be on-screen as much as one would imagine DC would want it to be.

Still, The Question would be a fitting role for Cruise. Vic Sage has become known as a paranoid character, always doubting others and what is happening. Cruise has the kind of manic energy in some of his roles that would be perfect for The Question. Cruise's version of the character could be intriguing, creepy, and cool, all at the same time .

6 John Constantine

The justice league dark could finally debut.

While DC is currently developing Keanu Reeves' return as the Hellblazer in Constantine 2 , there is plenty of space for both him and Cruise to play John Constantine. That is because Constantine 2 will not be part of the new DC Universe canon, with the project being developed as one of DC's new Elseworlds movies . Keanu could have his own Constantine franchise, while Cruise would play the character in the DCU.

DC Just Raised The Bar For Constantine 2

Cruise can play a snarky, smart, and cunning character like Constantine to perfection , with roles in movies like Interview with the Vampire giving a taste of what such a performance would be like. Fans have requested the live-action debut of the Justice League Dark for some time. With DC's Swamp Thing movie confirmed, the team could be part of the DCU, and a high-profile name like Cruise as Constantine would elevate the team's status.

5 Doctor Fate

The dceu's version was great.

While Dwayne Johnson's Black Adam was not the major DCEU event that the actor had promoted for years, the movie had some great casting. Black Adam 's most exciting character was Pierce Brosnan's Doctor Fate , with the Justice Society of America hero being extremely powerful, wise, and gentle. Sadly, Doctor Fate died in Black Adam , which likely would have ruled out a return from Brosnan in the role for a future project.

The new DC Universe could theoretically leave the death behind, bringing back Brosnan. However, only a handful of actors seem to be returning for the new universe. If Doctor Fate is in the DCU, then having a new actor of the same caliber as Brosnan would be the most likely move for the role. Cruise fulfills those prerequisites, with the actor's charisma being a great fit for Kent Nelson .

Tom Cruise Could Be Set Loose As The Villain

Tom Cruise has made a successful career out of playing heroic characters, such as Ethan Hunt in the Mission Impossible movies or Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in the Top Gun franchise. However, that is not the full scope of the star's acting skills. Cruise also has some magnetic and unsettling roles as villains in his filmography, with his character in Collateral showing that the actor would be a great fit for multiple DC foes.

One of those roles could be the Batman villain Two-Face. Cruise can easily play the charismatic Harvey Dent, who wants to use the law to clean up Gotham City. Adding to that, the actor could give life to a truly unpredictable Two-Face when Dent inevitably snaps . Cruise has the energy to make Two-Face one of the most frightening villains in the DCU, and having the actor appear in Batman movies would be a recipe for box office juggernauts.

3 Reverse-Flash

The character could make cruise a major dcu villain.

Another villain Cruise would be perfect for is the Flash's nemesis — Reverse-Flash. As a fan of the DCEU's The Flash movie , Cruise could be inclined to play the evil speedster if offered the part, with the actor having the skills to make Eobard Thawne a major threat. While Cruise's Reverse-Flash could be the main foe of the DCU's Flash Family, with the inclusion of Superman & Supergirl and the Bat-Family pointing to the Flash Family being likely, he could play a greater DCU role.

Director Zack Snyder revealed that his original DCEU plans included Reverse-Flash being the universe's surprise main villain. The character is certainly one who is smart and powerful enough to pose a threat to all DCU heroes and the fabric of reality itself. Cruise could make that idea come true in the new DCU, with the big-name actor being perfect to serve as the DCU's main villain .

2 Ozymandias

The dcu could use the watchmen.

While not exactly part of the main DC canon, Watchmen is a property that has crossed over into the greater DC universe in the comics . "Doomsday Clock" from DC Comics brought together characters like Doctor Manhattan, Ozymandias, and Rorschach with DC icons such as Superman and Batman. After a popular movie and a critically acclaimed limited series, Watchmen could be brought back as part of the DCU by Gunn and team.

Doctor Manhattan is a character who would fit thematically with the DCU's Chapter One, titled "Gods and Monsters," and the reflections it sets up. Essentially playing god in Watchmen , Ozymandias would be another great DCU addition. Cruise would excel in the role, with the actor being able to make the character's complex nature shine on the big screen, having fun with Adrian Veidt's intellect and arrogance.

1 Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)

Tom cruise's perfect dcu role.

Finally, the perfect DCU role for Cruise is the Green Lantern Hal Jordan. The only live-action version of the character so far comes from the criticized 2011 Green Lantern movie starring Ryan Reynolds. As the most popular version of the DC hero, Hal deserves more than that, and after the DCEU never used the character, the DCU has confirmed Hal Jordan will debut in the Lanterns series .

Casting Hal Jordan For The DCU Green Lantern Reboot

Cruise has been fancast as Hal Jordan for years , and it is easy to see why. The actor's role as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in the Top Gun franchise is basically a tease of how perfect he would be as the Green Lantern. Cruise would excel as DC's confident and charming test pilot-turned-Green Lantern. With the 53-year-old Nathan Fillion playing Guy Gardner — a Green Lantern younger than Hal Jordan — there is hope for Tom Cruise to play Hal in the DCU.

DC Universe

The DC Universe is one of the biggest comic book franchises and often competes with Marvel. DC Comics started as National Allied Publications, founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1935. Since then, the franchise has exploded with thousands of comic books, movies, TV shows, and video games. 2013 marked the beginning of the most recent iteration of the superheroes, with Zack Snyder introducing Henry Cavill as Superman. After several movies with mixed reviews, DC underwent a soft reboot under the helm of James Gunn and Peter Safran.

Key Release Dates

The batman part ii.

Why '3 Body Problem' Star Eiza González Has 'Given up' on Dating

González has been linked to NBA player Ben Simmons and Jason Momoa.

By Ashley Turner - April 18, 2024 03:45 pm EDT

Eiza González  is steering clear from dating. When González, 34, appeared on the cover of  InStyle , she admitted that she had "sort of given up" on the idea of dating . "I'm not looking anymore," she told the outlet.

According to González, who has been linked to NBA player Ben Simmons and actors like  Jason Momoa , Timothée Chalamet, Liam Hemsworth, and Josh Duhamel, she has an intense desire to have children and is very quick to "fall in love so deep and it takes me so much to get over."

"And the older I get, it's harder for me because I don't play around," she said. "I go in and I give it all. I am not going to half-a— anything." 

The  Ambulance  actress also noted that she's "incredibly adaptable" and that she likes to be open in her personal life. "But I definitely have a list of non-negotiables," she said. "If you've not gone to therapy," she says, "I'm not dating you."

Since she travels often for work, she mentioned that dating other entertainment industry figures may be difficult and added that actors she may date are "never going to take a back step for me."

"I'm going to have to follow them, and they're sort of dictating the rhythm," she added. "You have kids…and this actor is getting paid $20 million, and you get $2 million. He's going to be like, 'Well, you can go do that movie.'"

González and NBA star Simmons, 27, were  reported to be dating  back in early February of 2023, according to a source who told  PEOPLE  that the couple had been dating for "a few weeks." In May 2022, Momoa, 44, and González  had been reportedly dating  since February of that year, following he and ex-wife  Lisa Bonet   announced their split  in January 2022. 

But  the pair had broken up  by June 2022. "They're  just very different people ," a source told PEOPLE of the couple at that time. Another added that Momoa and Gonzalez are "hoping they might work it out... They love each other very much having dated quietly for some time before it became public. They are in different life stages." González's latest project, "3 Body Problem," is currently streaming on Netflix.

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