Cruise consistently appears on lists of Hollywood’s top earners. According to Forbeshe earned more than any other actor in 1997, then again in 2006, and then again in 2012. As an actor and producer, he has earned over $100 million from a single film on three occasions: Top Gun: Maverick, War of the WorldsAnd Mission: Impossible 2. Money has always been a touchy subject for the actor, at least according to a 1992 interview, where he was reluctant to talk about it.

“I don’t have a set price,” he said defiantly. rolling stone. “For me, each film is different. Studio owners didn’t get to where they are by being stupid businessmen. They won’t pay me a cent more than I’m worth, especially in this market. They wouldn’t pay it if I wasn’t worth it. And the day I’m gone, they won’t do it. The interview, which hilariously describes Cruise as “pushing 30” as if he were nearing the end of his run, is fascinating in the power of hindsight.

As Cruise said, movie studios aren’t run by idiots. The suits know that one wrong decision can destroy their profits, which is why every choice is carefully made, especially when it comes to who will helm their next big project. It’s the famous actors that get people through the door, and Cruise knew damn well he was a big draw when he gave this quote. Surprisingly, it was before people like Mission: ImpossibleCruise’s biggest franchise, or Interview with the Vampireone of the films that broke from its established formula and still made a lot of money.

By far the most interesting part of the interview is when Cruise says, “And the day I’m not, they won’t.” » Hollywood is a fickle business, dumping stars like they’re trash as soon as they’re no longer profitable. But that’s the problem. Judgment day never came for Tom Cruise. Even when some films have failed, his body of work remains as desirable as ever. Where so many other middle-aged action stars have embarrassed themselves with second-rate sequels and straight-to-DVD fodder, Cruise seems more bulletproof than ever.

As long as his films continue to make money, the man behind Ethan Hunt will continue to be a defining figure in all of our lives. Whether it’s his insane work ethic, his dedication to old-school stunts, or the fact that he’s so watchable, Cruise has defied all odds and continues to be one of the Hollywood facesdecades after what should have been its peak. The only question now is: when will it stop?

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