Tom Cruise has a smart career strategy that's helped him stay relevant after 40 years in Hollywood

Tom Cruise returns with death-defying stunts in "Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning."
In 2023, Cruise told Business Insider that he's "always pushing" to make his films bigger and better.
Cruise's commitment to his craft, including doing his own stunts, keeps audiences coming back for more.
Tom Cruise has been entertaining film fans for over 40 years and, despite weathering his fair share of controversies, is widely considered the last great movie star.
How did he do it? The answer is simple: stunts.
In the 15 years since the release of 2011's "Ghost Protocol," the fourth " Mission: Impossible" film, Cruise has done increasingly hair-raising stunts in each of his new movies: whether he's climbing the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, or clinging to a plane as it takes off.
Earlier in his career, Cruise acted in a greater mix of genres, including the 1994 horror "Interview with the Vampire," the 1996 comedy-drama "Jerry Maguire," and the 1999 erotic thriller "Eyes Wide Shut." In that era, he was considered widely a sex symbol.
Now, he trades in extaordinay feats.
Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning."
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Eammon Jacobs (@eammonjacobs)
"Every time they say, 'Can you top it? Can you not top it?' We're always pushing. Every film I do, whatever genre it's in, I want to make it as entertaining as possible for that audience. I know I can do things better," he said.
And it's a winning tactic. " Top Gun: Maverick," in which Cruise flew in real fighter jets, raked in $1.5 billion in 2022, while "Dead Reckoning," where he leapt off a mountain on a motorbike, made $567 million.
In "Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning," which is out on Friday, Cruise performs two nerve-shredding stunts: a scuba dive into the wreck of a submarine that rolls down into an ocean trench, and the climactic third act, where his character clings on to a biplane in flight.
It's expected to make $80 million in its opening weekend, The Hollywood Reporter reported, citing the National Research Group.
Cruise's enduring star power can even grab the attention of the most seasoned industry insiders. Rob Mitchell, the director of theatrical insights at film tech company Gower St. Analytics, recalled working as a sales analyst at Paramount in 2011, when employees did a set visit to see Cruise climb the Burj Khalifa.
"Everyone was taking pictures inside the Burj Khalifa, with Tom Cruise outside waving in," he told BI.
These sorts of stunts signal to audiences that Cruise is a bona fide star who is hardworking and takes his craft seriously—all ingredients of a movie more likely to be worth their hard-earned cash.
Referring to "Mission: Impossible," Mitchell said: "There comes a point where people aren't really going for the story as much as they are for the excitement and the thrills."
"In an era dominated by CGI superheroes, Cruise's staying power lies in the 'authenticity' of his performances," Stuart Joy, the course leader of film and TV at Solent University, UK, told BI. "Like Christopher Nolan, he champions analogue filmmaking in a digital age. But while Nolan does so behind the camera through practical effects and large-format film, Cruise embodies it on screen through real stunts and real danger."
Cruise's dedication to filmmaking has taken him around the world. During an interview at the BFI in London in May, he said he would "force" studios to send him to different countries to learn how movies were made there.
He also said encourages younger stars to "spend time in the editing room, produce a movie, study old movies, recognize what the composition is giving you, know what those lenses are, understand the lighting and how to use it for your benefit."
Last year, Cruise's "Top Gun: Maverick" costar Glen Powell told GQ that he was sent to a theater in Los Angeles to watch a six-hour "film-school" movie that Cruise made just for his friends.
"[Cruise] is like: 'Do we all agree that this is what a camera is? This is the difference between a film camera and a digital camera…' The funniest part is on flying. It was like he put together this entire flight school. So he would literally go 'OK, this is what a plane is. Here's how things fly. Here's how air pressure works,'" Powell said.
Centering his career around stunts is a smart PR move
As well as being undeniably impressive, stunts help to keep past controversies out of the conversation, Joy said.
"Cruise's transition from character-driven roles to stunt-centered performances seems intentional, not just as a creative decision but as a deliberate attempt to recalibrate public perceptions of his star persona," he said.
"After the mid-2000s controversies (most infamously the Oprah's sofa moment and scrutiny of his ties to Scientology) Cruise has successfully redirected the audience's attention," Joy added, referring to the moment in 2005 when he jumped on Winfrey's sofa while talking about his love for his then-girlfriend, and now ex-wife, Katie Holmes.
"Rather than inviting emotional connection through vulnerability, he now earns our praise and admiration through the spectacle of physical risk," Joy said.
Next, Cruise plans to shoot a movie in space with his "Edge of Tomorrow" and "American Made" collaborator, director Doug Liman.
In 2020, Deadline reported that Universal planned to spend $200 million on the film, and collaborate with Elon Musk's SpaceX to shoot it. Cruise and Liman were originally set to take flight in 2021, but the project is yet to materialize.
If it does get off the ground, audiences will likely flock to see "the ultimate Tom Cruise movie," as Mitchell puts it.
But wherever Cruise's career takes him next, Joy said that one thing is for certain: "He's made himself the guardian of a traditional cinematic spectacle."

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Business Insider

6 hours ago

• Business Insider

'White Lotus' star Jason Isaacs reflected on managing money 'immaturely.' A financial planner breaks down how to avoid doing the same.

For a movie star, Jason Isaacs says his financial situation isn't what you'd expect. "People will think I have huge stockpiles of money," the "White Lotus" star told Vulture in an interview published on June 16. "But sadly, what I've done rather immaturely is expand my outgoings to match my incomings and pretty much spent everything I've earned over the years." The English actor has more than 168 credits on IMDB dating back to 1988, including iconic roles such as Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter film adaptations and Col. William Tavington in the 2000 hit "The Patriot." But while Isaacs has long enjoyed a high-powered and lucrative career — Business Insider previously reported he, and every other top-billed actor on the show, earned $40,000 per episode of "White Lotus" — his admission is indicative of a common financial misstep that plagues high-earners: lifestyle creep. "It's really common to have lifestyle creep, and it's basically this phenomenon: When you earn more money, you spend more money," Robert Persichitte, a certified financial planner, told Business Insider. "People will see extra money in their bank account, and then they'll spend it, and then they get used to it, and it gets kind of locked into your lifestyle — and it becomes really, really difficult to get out of it." Representatives for Isaacs did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. 'Do you want to be rich, or do you want to be wealthy?' Lifestyle creep is most insidious when you begin spending your extra income on big-ticket items like expensive cars, fancy homes, or recurring subscription expenses like gym memberships, Persichitte said. That's not to say more modest luxuries like spa services or a trendy wardrobe can't add up, but he said those types of transactions are easier to stop splurging on if your financial situation changes. "It's a very common scenario: You get somebody who has their first high-paying job, and they get excited, they go out and spend it, and then about six months later, they realize they hate that high-paying job," Persichitte said. "If you bought a new car or bought a new house, that is a very, very difficult decision to walk back." Isaacs is far from the only celebrity to experience a problem with lifestyle creep. Al Pacino, in his 2024 autobiography, said he went from a $50 million fortune to "broke" because he didn't control his spending. Other stars — from Michael Jackson to Mike Tyson — have also racked up tremendous amounts of debt despite having multimillion-dollar incomes. While it may be tempting to adopt a more lavish lifestyle or emulate your favorite celebrity's spending habits if you receive a promotion or financial windfall, Persichitte cautions against it. Persichitte recalled a 2008 Time interview with Flo Rida, in which the rapper said mogul Rick Ross advised that, in order to make more money, Flo Rida should spend "with the confidence of someone who knows he's going to make a lot more." "I wouldn't recommend that," Persichitte said. "And the logic to me is: Do you want to be rich, or do you want to be wealthy?" The difference is that a rich person's financial situation hinges on their next paycheck, which means a job loss or emergency or an impending prison sentence — which was likely in the future for Isaacs' character in "White Lotus" — could make it all crumble. In comparison, Persichitte said, a wealthy person has long-term stability because they've prioritized sound investments that allow them more control over their finances. The easiest way to avoid lifestyle creep is to have a plan for your money so it's not just sitting in your bank account, Persichitte said. Whether that be a 401(k) or locking some portion of your funds away in a CD account, nearly anything is better than having your liquid cash available in your checking account — but "the more invisible, the better," he added. "The further away you can keep that money from the checking account, the less likely you are going to have that lifestyle creep," Persichitte said. "If your net pay doesn't go up, you don't feel rich, and you don't feel the need to spend." Speaking to Vulture, Isaacs said that he has turned down multiple roles over the years that would have offered him a more substantial nest egg to lean back on. While he said he doesn't regret the moves "careerwise or artistically," he acknowledged it is a financial sore spot for him. "There's a number of things I could have done over the years that would've made me rich," Isaacs said. "And now that I'm toward the autumn of my career, I think maybe I'm an idiot and I should have done some of those things and just banked it, because other people do."

Newsweek

10 hours ago

• Newsweek

Jon Bernthal Returning as Punisher in 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. 🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors According to a report from Borys Kit of The Hollywood Reporter, Jon Bernthal will be reprising his role as Frank Castle AKA The Punisher in the highly-anticipated Marvel Studios film "Spider-Man: Brand New Day." Jon Bernthal will return as The Punisher in 'SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY' (Source: — DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) June 20, 2025 This will mark the first time that Bernthal has been featured in a Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film. Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle in Netflix's "The Punisher." Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle in Netflix's "The Punisher." Netflix Previously, Bernthal has played Castle in various different live-action series like "Daredevil" and "The Punisher" on Netflix and "Daredevil: Born Again" on Disney+. Bernthal will be appearing alongside Tom Holland as the titular Spider-Man. More Entertainment: Thunderbolts* Gets New Digital Release Date – How To Watch Snydercut Subreddit Issues Statement After 'Superman' Review Bomb Controversy For more MCU and entertainment news, head on over to Newsweek Entertainment. This story is currently being updated...

Yahoo

13 hours ago

• Yahoo

Royal Caribbean, Carnival add ship enhancements cruisers will love

Royal Caribbean, Carnival add ship enhancements cruisers will love originally appeared on Come Cruise With Me. Although cruise lines put a lot of careful thought and attention into ship design, they don't always get everything right. Sometimes, cruise ship features miss the mark, or designers fail to recognize something that was important to passengers. Occasionally, they even overlook something that passengers say has a negative impact on the cruise preferences and needs change over time, too, so certain features eventually become outdated as new innovations are developed that enhance the cruise experience. Luckily, the fact that there's limited space on a cruise ship doesn't mean onboard areas like the pool deck, restaurants, bars, and casinos, can't be redesigned at some point. Even spaces that can't be fully reworked, like staterooms, can be refreshed to add some enhancements. When cruise ships go to dry dock for routine maintenance every few years, they often receive significant refurbishment throughout to overhaul existing venues and make improvements that will elevate passengers' future sailings on the ship. Sometimes when a need arises, cruise lines will even make upgrades to a ship without taking it out of service for dry dock. That's something Royal Caribbean is currently doing to fix a big casino problem on some of its newer and most-popular ships. Doug Parker shared more on the upgrades rolling out on board certain Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruise ships, plus details on the largest ultra-luxury cruise ship suite yet, on the June 12th edition of Cruise News This is Cruise News Today with Doug Parker. Good morning. Here's your cruise news for Thursday, June 12th. Carnival Valor is back in service after completing a month-long dry dock over in Spain. The 21-year-old ship received major upgrades including the addition of the Heroes Tribute Bar and WaterWorks Aqua Park. Public spaces were also refreshed, staterooms upgraded with USB outlets, and the casino and spa were also expanded. Valor resumed service yesterday in Barcelona and is now sailing a 15-night repositioning cruise to New a $25,000-per-night cruise. Yeah, Regent Seven Seas has unveiled its most extravagant suite yet, the Skyview Regent Suite aboard the upcoming Seven Seas Prestige. Spanning nearly 9,000 square feet over two levels, the suite will set you back $25,000 per night and includes a private gym, sauna, bar, elevator, and a car and driver in every port. Bookings — they open next week if you're Royal Caribbean is expanding the casino aboard Wonder of the Seas, converting the Crown Lounge on Deck 4 into a larger, non-smoking gaming area. The Crown Lounge will be relocated to Deck 16 and reopen later this month. The expanded, redesigned casino will reopen in mid-July. Wonder of the Seas is currently sailing Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral and will reposition to Miami in cruise stocks were down on Wednesday. Carnival Corporation: down 2.6 percent, 23.87. Royal Caribbean: down 1 percent, 267.96. Norwegian: down 3.3 percent, 19.08. And Viking: down 3 percent, 47.36. If you have a lead on a story, let us know. Tips@ This week's Cruise Radio Podcast: a review of a Norwegian cruise ship — can't remember which one. Here in Victoria, British Columbia, waiting to debark for the evening, I'm Doug Parker with Cruise News Today. Have yourself a great Thursday. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472. This story was originally reported by Come Cruise With Me on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.