Tom Cruise to Be Celebrated at MoMI with ‘Above and Beyond' Retrospective Festival

Patron saint of theaters Tom Cruise will be at the center of a well-deserved retrospective at the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI). IndieWire can announce that starting June 20, 22 of Cruise's most iconic films will screen at the museum. Titled 'Tom Cruise, Above and Beyond,' the retrospective festival will 'capture the full range of Cruise's charismatic star performances from the 1980s to present,' as the description teases. 'Tom Cruise has been so central to our conception of Hollywood for so many decades that he's more than a movie star — he encourages us to ask: what is it that makes a movie star? Cruise's entire captivating career speaks to his legacy as a singular movie star, and all the contradictions— of mystery and emotional transparency, of relatability and untouchability, of strength and vulnerability— that entails.'
From '80s classics such as 'Risky Business,' 'Top Gun,' 'Cocktail,' and 'The Color of Money' to '90s genre benders like 'The Firm,' 'Jerry Maguire,' and 'Interview with the Vampire,' and auteur works 'Eyes Wide Shut' and 'Magnolia' — not to mention Cruise's Oscar-nominated turn in 'Born on the Fourth of July' — Cruise's career is legendary. Festival highlights further include Ridley Scott's 'Legend,' Francis Ford Coppola's 'The Outsiders,' Barry Levinson's 'Rain Man,' Michael Mann's 'Collateral,' and Rob Reiner's 'A Few Good Men.' Both 'Top Gun' and 'Top Gun: Maverick' will screen, as well as 'Tropic Thunder;' Cruise has teased more respective franchise installments for both.
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The 'Tom Cruise, Above and Beyond' festival concludes August 17. But that's not all the Cruise programming this summer: The king of blockbusters will be back on the MoMI big screen for the annual 'See It Big: 70mm!' festival at the museum. Both 'Edge of Tomorrow' and 'Top Gun: Maverick' will be presented in 70mm. The weekly 'Summer Saturdays with Dolby Atmos,' presented by MUBI, additionally will showcase 'Top Gun.' Cruise's 'Mission: Impossible' franchise will also be celebrated with the 'Mission: Impossible — Story and Spectacle' exhibition; Cruise is both the producer and star of the film franchise, which concludes with 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.'
While Cruise's 'Mission: Impossible' career may be over (or, at least for now), the actor turned stuntman told The Hollywood Reporter that he has no plans to ever retire. 'I will never stop. I will never stop doing action, I will never stop doing drama, comedy films — I'm excited,' Cruise said when asked about his former statement that like Harrison Ford, he will keep acting into his 80s. Cruise also had one amendment: 'I actually said I'm going to make movies into my 80s; actually, I'm going to make them into my 100s.'
He added, 'There's been so many levels of reward with the filmmakers that I've collaborated with, the crews, the people, the cultures that we've worked in. Everything that I've learned and continue to learn about storytelling, about life, about leadership, about character and every aspect of filmmaking. It's been exceptional, it really is exceptional. I feel very fortunate to be able to make the films that I make and I love it. I love just making movies.'
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Movie Sequels That Made Fans Wait For Decades

Blade Runner? Avatar? Top Gun? These film franchises are historic for having their sequel films released years, sometimes decades, after the original. Nevertheless, they've managed to capture audiences each and every time, no matter the time between them. So, let's take a look at these 17 movie sequels that came out waaaaaaay after the originals. Top Gun: Maverick came out 36 years after the original Top Gun was released back in 1986. Despite the original Top Gun being released back in 1986, it took nearly 36 years to make Top Gun: Maverick. This was due to the fact that the film was post-poned and shelved multiple times before coming into development due to various conflicts that arose over time, such as fundings and investments being pulled, essential crew members falling through, and the desire to make a relevant, intriguing story to pull back in diehard Top Gun fanatics and to branch out to among other audiences. Similarly, Blade Runner 2049 came out 35 years after the original Blade Runner was released back in 1982. Development on Blade Runner 2049 dates all the way back to 1999 (still 17 years after), yet was halted various times due to director Ridley Scott's unavailability to direct the sequel, licensing issues, and creating a captivating story to follow the beloved original. While he passed on the job at first, Denis Villeneuve eventually stepped up to take on the sequel to Blade Runner. At the time he was approached around 2015, Villeneuve had just finished his film Sicario and was already beginning production of the 2016 sci-fi thriller, Arrival. Yet, after intense schedule arrangements, Villeneuve reconsidered and Blade Runner 2049 made its way out into the universe in 2017. Finding Dory came out 13 years after Finding Nemo, which released in 2003. The delay in making Finding Dory, which was released in 2016 and 13 years after Finding Nemo, was mostly due to story structure and the struggles of centering a film around the initial side-character, Dory. Director Andrew Stanton understood this challenge, but spoke about creating a story around Dory. He stated, "She was built to be a side character. She was built to be the best sidekick and the comedic foil for a whole movie. When you're the main character of a picture, it means you have to be the character with the big problem that everybody has to be emotionally invested in and has to have things at stake, and so they just invariably end up having to be a little bit more serious. So, the tough part was, 'How do we make Dory even remember that she has issues and that she's changing?" After establishing the story, it took around two years to complete the animation, which is why the film took so long to be made. Avatar: The Way of Water was also released 13 years after the original Avatar in 2009. Avatar: The Way of Water was released a long time after the original Avatar due to the business of director James Cameron's schedule, the need for increased story development, and the fact that Avatar was originally meant to be a trilogy, not a five-film franchise. Once decided, Cameron explained that it took him four years to write the other four movies, another challenge added in the midst of making the sequel. He also shared how he had to invest in new underwater tech to enhance the reality of the Avatar world, which also took a considerable amount of time. Lastly, filming the actual sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water took three years itself, making it very easy to understand how it took nearly 13 years for the film to release following the original. Gladiator II came out 24 years after the original Best Picture winner, Gladiator, in 2000. Despite director Ridley Scott announcing the finished script for the sequel to Gladiator back in 2003, things fell apart quickly when DreamWorks sold its live-action library over to Paramount Pictures in 2006. After that, there wasn't any news on the progress or development of Gladiator II until around 2017 when Scott shared he'd found a way in the story to bring back Russell Crowe, who famously portrayed Maximus Aurelius. Then, it was announced in 2018 by Paramount that the sequel was officially in development, but surrounding Lucius, the son of Maximus, instead. Filming began in 2023 with Paul Mescal as the lead, yet with an on-set accident and the raging Screen Actors Guild strike, production didn't kick back up until the very end of 2023. However, with a fast-filming schedule behind Scott and his crew, Gladiator II was released in the fall of 2024, 24 years after the original film. Twisters was a stand-alone sequel that came out 28 years after the original 1996 Twister film. The Twisters sequel never actually went into development in 2020 and wasn't officially announced until 2022. There wasn't any real reason for the delay other than taking the time to find the right story and director to take on the sequel. Helen Hunt, original star of the 1996 Twister, had even pitched her own idea for a sequel that she'd hope to direct following her character through more storm-chasing adventures, but was ultimately rejected by Universal. However, the film came to fruition and was released in July of 2024 with director Lee Isaac Chung, over 28 years after the original. Terminator 2: Judgement Day came out 7 years after the original Terminator film in 1984. Terminator 2: Judgement Day suffered many financial struggles, a lack of interest, ownership issues, and technological issues in developing as a sequel to The Terminator. There were various limitations on the technology and visual effects needed for the film, as well as multiple production, financial, and ownership delays that caused the seven-year gap between the two Terminator films. Psycho II was released 23 years after the original 1960 Psycho directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The delay behind the sequel to Psycho seemed to be nothing more than making time for the story development, establishing a promising tone following the original, and to follow the agreement between Universal Pictures and Oak Media to finance and develop four films, one of which was Psycho II. However, the idea of sequels wasn't immensely popular in this time of Hollywood, which is another reason why it took 23 years for the sequel to Psycho to even be brought to life. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre II came out 12 years after the first 1974 Texas Chainsaw Massacre film. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre looked to be a promising franchise after the immense success of the first film installment of the same title. While it took nearly 12 years to create the second film and sequel, it was primarily due to the first film's great success, popularity, and reception. Director Tobe Hopper also wanted to explore other creative avenues with the Texas Chainsaw franchise, which added to the delay of the sequel film as well. The Godfather Part III came out 16 years after The Godfather Part II, despite Part II coming out two years after the original Godfather film. After The Godfather Part II was released in 1974, director Francis Ford Coppola felt at peace with the finish of the Corleone story and felt he didn't need to make another film. Yet, after some of his next films failed financially, Coppola decided to re-enter the world of The Godfather upon an offer he couldn't refuse. Eventually, Coppola banded back together with past crew members to develop the story for the third Godfather film, which was finished and released nearly 16 years after the second installment in 1990. Similarly, Incredibles 2 was released 14 years after the first Incredibles, which came out back in 2004. The Incredibles 2 was released nearly 14 years after the original and largely due to the fact that writer/director Brad Bird wasn't in it for the franchise money, but the story itself. He stated, "The thing is, many sequels are cash grabs. There's a saying in the business that I can't stand, where they go, 'if you don't make another one, you're leaving money on the table.' It's like, money on the table is not what makes me get up in the morning; making something that people are gonna enjoy a hundred years from now, that's what gets me up. So if it were a cash grab, we would not have taken fourteen years – it makes no financial sense to wait this long – it's purely [that] we had a story we wanted to tell." Inside Out 2 came out 9 years after the release of the first Inside Out back in 2015. There wasn't actually ever a plan for a sequel to the first Inside Out that was released back in 2015. However, the director of the original film and Chief Creative Officer of Pixar, Pete Docter, approached director Kelsey Mann to begin development on a sequel years later. Mann spoke on the success of Inside Out, claiming "It wasn't intended to have this greater of an impact as it did. And I think over the years, that's just grown. That's probably where Pete [Docter] was like, 'You know what, there might be something else here that we could do'." While not a direct sequel, the 11th installment of the Halloween franchise, Halloween (2018), is considered a new sequel to the original 1978 Halloween film (ignoring the other nine installments in front of it), bridging a 40-year gap between the two films. In 2018, director David Gordon Green made the decision to "start over" and essentially scrap the last nine installments of the Halloween franchise to make a "new" sequel to the original 1978 Halloween. Halloween (2018) is set 40 years after the massacre of the first film and picks up off the dynamics and story elements of the first film. Some fans loved the idea of starting fresh in the franchise as they believed it got out of hands at times, yet other fans weren't so pleased with the sudden, drastic changes. However, as being that Halloween (2018) is now considered the sequel to the 1978 classic, there's nearly 40 years between the two making of the films. Doctor Sleep posed as a sequel to the 1980's classic film The Shining, making it a 39 year gap between the original and sequel. Author Stephen King actually wrote the sequel to The Shining in 2013 titled Doctor Sleep, which hit shelves 36 years after the original. Shortly after publication, Warner Bros. began the development of the sequel, yet was faced with funding issues early on. However, upon the success of King's film adaptation It, funding was secured. Shortly after, Director Mike Flanagan hopped aboard and re-wrote the script, attempting to abide by the integrity of the book and the first film as well. This took significant time, and the film didn't start production until 2018. Yet, the sequel was eventually released in 2019, nearly 39 years after the making of the original film, The Shining. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again came out 10 years after the first Mamma Mia film. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again was released nearly 10 years following the original film and largely due to the fact that production didn't begin until late 2017, leading the film into a 2018 release. However, It's said the decade delay is due mostly to the considerable time spent developing the writing, casting, music, and the actual filming of the movie itself. Tron: Legacy was made 28 years after the first Tron film was released back in 1982. There's not much that specifically suggests why it took almost 28 years to make the sequel to Tron other than the fact that Disney had other focuses and interests at the time. Disney had a tough time selling the appeal of Tron and found it underperforming in various ways, which made them shift from supporting the franchise altogether for quite some time. Yet, after 14 long years, Disney finally agreed to develop and release the sequel, Tron: Legacy. And finally, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was made a whopping 36 years after the first classic Beetlejuice film. Tim Burton shed light on why he took 36 years to make the sequel to cult-classic film, Beetlejuice, stating, "it just became a very personal movie, like a kind of weird family movie … that became the emotional hook. The three generations of mother, daughter, granddaughter, life, death —just basic, normal things that we all experience and then, especially if you're lucky enough to get older, you feel those things. So that's where it really started and it really could have only happened for me after all this time.' He shared how he felt he couldn't have made the sequel anytime sooner by adding, "Only time can show you your own experience in life. I couldn't have made [Beetlejuice Beetlejuice] back in 1989 … now I feel things after 30 years of going through a bunch of good and bad ups and downs … it's like when I made Big Fish. I couldn't have made that film before my father died. I [could] only make that having those feelings that surprised me. So it's the same as this." Know any more sequels that took a longggg time to be released? Share them in the comments below!

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10 best cruises from Singapore for a fun-filled vacation at sea

If you're looking for a way to go out to sea, a cruise is a convenient way to visit multiple destinations with onboard accommodation, dining and entertainment. Cruises are floating resorts that sail to different ports of call, so passengers can have a range of diverse experiences. Check out our list of the 10 best cruises in Singapore to hold a major celebration at sea. The Disney Adventure is Disney Cruise Line's newest cruise ship, scheduled to start sailing from Singapore in Dec 2025. Disney Adventure is the first Disney ship to be based in Asia and will offer 3- and 4-night voyages, focusing on magical days at sea. The ship is designed with Disney, Pixar and Marvel theming, promising unique experiences for guests. The cruise ship will feature 7 zones: Disney Imagination Garden, Disney Discovery Reef, San Fransokyo Street, Marvel Landing, Toy Story Place, Town Square and Wayfinder Bay. The San Fransokyo Street, inspired by the world of Big Hero 6, features a bustling city atmosphere with interactive games, a street market and a family arcade. The Marvel Landing area will have attractions and experiences inspired by The Marvel Super Heroes. Concierge Bedroom Oceanview Suite from S$19,538 (Departing Jan 2026) at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 +65 6228 3728 (Phone) Mon to Fri: 8am – 10pm (Call Centre) Sat & Sun: 9am – 8pm (Call Centre) | | A 3-night cruise to Penang is available with Royal Caribbean on the Ovation of the Seas. The cruise departs from Singapore, spends a day in Penang and then returns to Singapore. This cruise includes a stop where passengers can explore the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site of George Town, visit temples such as the Taoist Goddess of Mercy Temple and see the beach at Batu Ferringhi. Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas offers a variety of activities, including the North Star observation capsule, iFly skydiving, bumper cars and numerous pools. This cruise includes complimentary food at various restaurants and access to entertainment and performances. Interior Room at S$359 Per Person (Departing Jan 2026) at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 +65 3157 2944 Daily: 24 hours | | The 8-night Bali Adventure Holiday Cruise on the Ovations of the Seas ship departs from Singapore with stops in Celukan Bawang (Bali), Benoa (Bali) and Lombok (Indonesia), before returning to town. The cruise has a varied mix of cultural experiences and activities. Ports of call include Celukan Bawang, a port town in northern Bali, known for its traditional industries and access to less-visited areas such as Lovina Beach and Banjar hot springs, Benoa, Bali's main port, offering access to beaches, the cities of Denpasar and Ubud and Lombok, Indonesia, an island reputed for its volcanoes, beaches and cultural attractions. The cruise features activities such as North Star (observation capsule), Bionic Bar (robot-crafted cocktails) and Live. Love. Legs. (aerial adventure). A range of dining options are available, including Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver and a 5-course Chef's Table experience. Interior Room at S$1,659 Per Person (Departing Dec 2025) at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 +65 3157 2944 Daily: 24 hours | | A 12-night cruise exploring Vietnam and Thailand from either Singapore or Hong Kong, aboard the Celebrity Solstice, offers a mix of cultural experiences and relaxation. The cruise typically includes stops in major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and scenic locations, with chances to explore the markets and temples and enjoy the beaches. Celebrity Solstice is one of their most decorated ships, with elegant designs everywhere you turn. Their passion for outstanding cuisine takes the onboard dining experience to a new level and the staterooms are sure to bring the comfort of your home, out to the ocean. The airy Main Restaurant, the Grand Epernay Restaurant, offers exquisite menu selections. These change nightly to give guests a wide variety of choices. And the service? Legendary. Veranda Stateroom at US$3,299 (S$4,241) Per Person (Departing Nov 2025) at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 1 888 751 7804 Daily: 24 hours | | The 14 Nights Best of Japan and Taiwan cruise with Celebrity Cruises offers a journey through diverse cultures, stunning landscapes as well as modern metropolises. Passengers will explore Japan and its cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto, and Taiwan, with potential stops in Hualien and Taipei. The Celebrity Millennium, known for its modern luxury and innovative spaces such as the Lawn and AquaSpa, is the ship for this itinerary. Visit iconic cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto, experience ancient culture and enjoy modern amenities. Discover the unique blend of cultures in Taiwan, including Hualien, known for Taroko Gorge and Taipei with its vibrant night markets and natural mountain landscapes. Inside Stateroom at US$2,045 (S$2,629) Per Person (Departing Oct 2026) at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 1-888-751-7804 Daily: 24 hours | | Sail with Royal Albatross on an epicurean odyssey with a trinity of top Singapore chefs The Genting Dream cruise ship, now operated by StarDream Cruises, provides onboard experiences, such as dining, entertainment and activities, with a focus on Asian hospitality. The Genting Dream offers cruises from Singapore, such as getaways and other itineraries with stops in Malaysia and Thailand, at cities or towns that include Penang and Port Klang. It features world-class theatre shows, parties, performances and classes, as well as an array of dining options, from international cuisine to speciality restaurants. The ship also boasts spa services, fitness centres and family-friendly amenities, such as children's clubs. Interior Stateroom (Value Fare, 2 Nights Weekend Getaway Cruise) (Departing 18 Jul) at S$918 at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 +65 800 8528 188 Daily: 24 hours | | A 7-night Italy & Croatia cruise with Royal Caribbean is a cruise voyage that takes passengers on a week-long journey via Italy and Croatia, departing from Rome or Venice. These cruises include visits to various Italian and Croatian ports, including Naples/Capri, Sicily, Kotor, Dubrovnik and Split, with options to also explore Venice, Koper and other destinations. The cruises offer a mix of sightseeing, relaxation and onboard entertainment. Royal Caribbean offers a variety of dining options, including the Main Dining Room with rotating menus, speciality restaurants such as Izumi for sushi, Giovanni's Table for Italian cuisine and Chops Grille for steak. Guests can enjoy live shows, music and themed parties. Interior Stateroom from S$1,620 (Departing Sep 2025) at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 +65 3157 2944 Daily: 24 hours | | The 19-Day Cruise Australia & Asia: Melbourne and Bali is a cruise experience aboard the Norwegian Spirit. It is a journey from here to Sydney, with stops in Melbourne and Bali. The cruise includes ports of call in Australia and Indonesia. You will get the opportunity to explore cities including Surabaya, Perth, Busselton, Albany, Adelaide and Kangaroo Island. It also features onboard entertainment and activities, including access to the Stardust Theatre. It is designed with a freestyle concept, offering flexibility in dining and activities. These activities include multiple dining options (Asian, Italian, French, steakhouses), entertainment, a casino, bars and lounges, a spa and kids' activities onboard the ship. Inside Stateroom from S$1,889 Per Person (Departing Dec 2025) at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 +65 31 651 680 Daily: 24 hours | | A 10-night 'Fly Cruise' to China, Japan and South Korea is a vacation package that combines air travel, a cruise and hotel stays to explore multiple cities and cultures in East Asia. It typically entails flying into a city in one of the countries. Thereafter, you will embark on a cruise that stops at ports in the other 2 countries and then fly out from a different city. The cruise will typically visit multiple ports. This will give you the chance to explore cities in countries such as China (Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing, Tianjin), Japan (Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Shimizu (Mt Fuji), Nagasaki, Kobe) and South Korea (Jeju Island, Busan, Incheon). A fly-cruise package simplifies travel planning by bundling flights, accommodation and transportation between destinations. In some cases, this can be more cost-effective than booking flights and accommodation separately, especially when considering convenience. Flight + Cruise + Transfer + Hotel from S$3,999 (Departing Oct 2025) at 601 MacPherson Road, Grantral Complex, #06-10, Singapore 368242 +65 6222 9222 / +65 8125 9162 Mon to Fri: 9am – 6pm Sat: 9am – 1pm Closed on Sun | | A 10-night Mediterranean cruise on the Celebrity Ascent involves sailing to various iconic European venues. These include Greece, Italy and Croatia, with a focus on experiencing the culture, history and natural beauty of the region. The Celebrity Ascent is an Edge-class ship that is designed to provide an 'outward-facing' experience, connecting guests with the sea. This 10-night cruise includes stops in Italy (e.g., Rome, Sicily, Naples), Greece (e.g., Olympia, Corfu) and Croatia (e.g., Dubrovnik, Split). Guests can expect a rich blend of cultural exploration, sightseeing and opportunities to relax and enjoy the ship's amenities. Celebrity Cruises is known for its sophisticated, upscale experience with a focus on design, service and innovative onboard areas. Celebrity Ascent boasts features such as The Grand Plaza, Rooftop Garden, an adults-only Solarium pool and dining and entertainment venues. Inside Stateroom from S$4,299 (Departing Oct 2025) at 601 MacPherson Road, Grantral Complex, #06-10, Singapore 368242 +65 6222 9222 / +65 8125 9162 Mon to Fri: 9am – 6pm Sat: 9am – 1pm Closed on Sun | | 11 yacht rental services in Singapore for an unforgettable outing The post 10 best cruises from Singapore for a fun-filled vacation at sea appeared first on

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Film Academy Taps Tom Cruise, Debbie Allen and Wynn Thomas for Honorary Oscars, Dolly Parton for Hersholt Award

The board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has voted to present actor/producer Tom Cruise, actress/producer/choreographer Debbie Allen and production designer Wynn Thomas with Honorary Awards, and actress/singer-songwriter Dolly Parton with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 16th annual Governors Awards, the organization announced Tuesday. The honorees — whose selection was the final decision made by the 55 governors who served on the Academy's board during the 2024-2025 term, including the likes of Pam Abdy, Jason Blum, Ruth E. Carter, Ava DuVernay, Marlee Matlin, Jason Reitman and Eric Roth — will be fêted at a black-tie ceremony at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 16. More from The Hollywood Reporter Viola Davis and Walter Murch to Receive Honorary Degrees at AFI Conservatory Commencement Making of 'Paradise': How a White Lie and a Far-Fetched Apocalyptic Natural Disaster Birthed the Thriller Emmy Predictions via Feinberg Forecast: Scott Updates His Picks Midway Through Nominations Voting 'This year's Governors Awards will celebrate four legendary individuals whose extraordinary careers and commitment to our filmmaking community continue to leave a lasting impact,' outgoing Academy president Janet Yang said in a statement. 'The Academy's board of governors is honored to recognize these brilliant artists. Debbie Allen is a trailblazing choreographer and actor, whose work has captivated generations and crossed genres. Tom Cruise's incredible commitment to our filmmaking community, to the theatrical experience, and to the stunts community has inspired us all. Beloved performer Dolly Parton exemplifies the spirit of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award through her unwavering dedication to charitable efforts. And production designer Wynn Thomas has brought some of the most enduring films to life through a visionary eye and mastery of his craft.' The board annually bestows Honorary Awards for lifetime achievement. (Previous recipients include Charlie Chaplin, Walt Disney, Louis B. Mayer, Greta Garbo, Cary Grant, Federico Fellini, Sidney Poitier, Steve Martin, Gena Rowlands and, last year, Quincy Jones.) On occasion, it also chooses to present the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, which recognizes the achievements of a creative producer and/or executive (honorees have included Darryl F. Zanuck, David O. Selznick, Jack Warner, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall and, last year, Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson) and/or the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, celebrating remarkable service to others (honorees have included Frank Sinatra, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Oprah Winfrey and, last year, Richard Curtis). Each of these honors now comes in the form of an Oscar statuette. * * * Cruise, 62, who is often described as 'the last movie star,' has consistently been a top box-office draw for longer than anyone else in history. His popularity — built on the back of his all-American, boy-next-door smile and swagger, as well as real acting chops and tireless boosterism of his own projects — has spanned 1983's Risky Business through 2025's Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, a period of 42 years, with two chart-topping Top Gun movies, 36 years apart, inbetween, the latter of which, in the view of no less an authority than Steven Spielberg, 'saved Hollywood's ass' in the wake of the global pandemic. Cruise spent the first half of his career working mostly in filmmaker-driven projects. He was directed by Barry Levinson (1988's Rain Man, which won the best picture Oscar), Francis Ford Coppola (1983's The Outsiders), Martin Scorsese (1986's The Color of Money), Oliver Stone (1989's Born on the Fourth of July, for which he received the first of his four Oscar noms), Rob Reiner (1992's A Few Good Men), Sydney Pollack (1993's The Firm), Cameron Crowe (1996's Jerry Maguire, Oscar nom #2, and 2001's Vanilla Sky), Stanley Kubrick (1999's Eyes Wide Shut), Paul Thomas Anderson (1999's Magnolia, Oscar nom #3), Spielberg (2002's Minority Report) and Michael Mann (2004's Collateral). He has spent the second half working mostly in action-oriented flicks of varying quality, but fairly unwavering popularity, in which he famously does many of his own stunts. Among them: eight Mission: Impossible films (1996, 2000, 2006, 2011, 2015, 2018, 2023 and 2025), the first of which also marked his debut producing credit (he also has produced every subsequent installment), plus The Last Samurai (2003), The War of the Worlds (2005), Jack Reacher (2012, also a producer), Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016, also a producer) and Top Gun: Maverick (also a producer, resulting in Oscar nom #4). With few exceptions, the most notable being 2008's Tropic Thunder, Cruise has, over the last 20 years, consistently played a version of Cruise, or at least his well-established screen persona, which audiences still love. Unlike other A-listers, you won't see him playing a superhero in a comic book adaptation — he turned down Tony Stark — because in his movies he, not the character he plays, is the star; and you won't see him on a streaming service or on TV, because he is a movie star, which is why he also ferociously defends the theatrical experience. * * * Allen, 75, is not only a trailblazing artist, but also a champion of arts education — on screen (her most famous role is dance teacher Lydia Grant in the 1980 film Fame and its television adaptation that ran from 1982 through 1987, which she also choreographed) and off (through her Debbie Allen Dance Academy in LA and other activities). Her stage and TV credits are extensive — she has been nominated for two Tonys and 21 Primetime Emmys, winning five of the latter, and the TV Academy presented her with a Governors Award in 2021 and inducted her into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2022. Her standout work in film has been more limited — beyond Fame, she also acted in 1981's Ragtime; produced 1997's Amistad with Steven Spielberg; and choreographed 2024's The Six Triple Eight. Allen, who also choreographed seven Oscars telecasts, previously has been the recipient of the National Medal of Arts, a Kennedy Center Honor and many other major prizes. * * * Thomas, who got his start in the New York theater, is a revered production designer who is best known for his extensive collaboration with Spike Lee, which encompasses 11 films over 35 years, spanning Lee's feature directorial debut, 1986's She's Gotta Have It, through 2020's Da 5 Bloods, and also includes Lee's most celebrated films, 1989's Do the Right Thing and 1992's Malcolm X. Thomas has worked with numerous other A-list filmmakers including Francis Ford Coppola (on 1984's The Cotton Club), Robert De Niro (1993's A Bronx Tale), Ron Howard (on 2001 best picture Oscar winner A Beautiful Mind and 2005's Cinderella Man), Barry Levinson (1997's Wag the Dog) and Tim Burton (1996's Mars Attacks!), and on hit films such as 1999's Analyze This, 2016's Hidden Figures and 2021's King Richard. The first African American production designer to join the Art Directors Guild, he won two ADG Awards (for Hidden Figures and Da 5 Bloods) and was the recipient of the ADG's lifetime achievement award in 2024. The ADG declared at the time, 'Thomas has significantly shaped the landscape of filmmaking, and his diverse body of work reflects his innovative approach and commitment to storytelling. Beyond his artistic achievements, Thomas is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of designers. Thomas has not only broken barriers but also paved the way for future generations.' Thomas also served on the Academy's board of governors from 2017 through 2023, and was its vice president and chair of its education and outreach committee from 2020 through 2023. * * * Parton, 79, one of the most popular country music stars of all time, made her mark on the movies as an actress (most memorably in 1980's 9 to 5 and 1982's The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, for which she received Golden Globe noms) and as a singer/songwriter (garnering best original song Oscar noms for 'Nine to Five' from 9 to 5 and 'Travelin' Thru' from 2005's Transamerica). But her greatest legacy may be her philanthropy. Indeed, the daughter of a man who never learned to read has spent millions of dollars to give away more than 285 million books to children, aiming to inspire a lifelong love of reading. It's all done through her Dollywood Foundation, which she created in 1988 with the aim of helping to educate kids from her home state of Tennessee, and the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which launched in 1995. 30 years later, Parton's organization mails millions of free books every month to pre-schoolers in all fifty states, as well as in Canada, the UK, Ausralia and Ireland. Beyond that, she has also been an outspoken ally of the LGBTQ community and a pivotal supporter of medical research — as in, $2 million in donations to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center — that helped to fund the critical early stages of development of the Moderna vaccine that saved an untold number of lives during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. * * * On June 9, THR published a piece suggesting 100 worthy candidates for Governors Awards. It included Parton (#3) and Cruise (#16). 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