Hanoi [Vietnam], September 17: Tom Cruise admits that rumors about his demanding, somewhat unpleasant nature and extreme work ethic on set are true. The actor even often warns his co-stars about this before they work together and filming begins.
In a recent interview with GQ magazine , coinciding with his cover appearance on September 15th, Tom Cruise candidly addressed rumors surrounding his work style. The Digger star admitted to being a high-intensity worker and demanding a great deal from his collaborators.
Tom Cruise admits he is 'too intense'.
According to the Oscar-nominated actor, cinema is first and foremost a story about human connection. Therefore, he doesn't mind being assertive, even doing seemingly silly things on set, if it helps the film achieve the desired effect. "Cinema is a story about people. I have no problem with cable TV, television, or Netflix. I think they're all great, creating jobs and so on. But what I like about cinema is that we all step into one room and share an experience," Tom Cruise said.
The actor said that when working, he's not afraid of looking silly, grumpy, or having to experiment with different expressions. The important thing is that the whole team finds the right tone and creates a shared experience. Source: Thanh Nein Newspaper
Tom Cruise also doesn't deny that he sets very high standards: "I work very hard and everyone who has worked with me knows that. I set high standards and I always make that clear from the start. I often tell them: The rumors about me are true. Are you prepared to work at that intensity? Trust me, I'll always be the one to arrive on set early and give my all. So, what kind of experience do you want us to create together?"
Tom Cruise says this work style isn't something new that emerged after he became a Hollywood star. Even as a child, those around him noted that he was overly intense and serious about what he cared about. "When I was little, people would say, 'Come on, Tom, you're always so tense.' I just replied that I didn't know what to say, because that's just how I am," the Top Gun star recalled.
Tom Cruise says he can see this trait in a humorous light. However, whenever he's interested in something, he always wants to learn and understand it thoroughly. The actor also places particular emphasis on face-to-face communication. Whether on set or off set, Tom Cruise always tries to keep the phone as far away from him as possible. He says that members of his crew understand that instead of sending long emails with too many details, they should come and talk in person. "I observe and listen. I want to spend as little time as possible on the phone. My crew knows, don't send me a long email, come and talk to me. I like talking to people in person," Tom Cruise shared.
Not only does Tom Cruise set high standards for himself and his collaborators, but he also pays close attention to the next generation of actors. Glen Powell, his co-star in Top Gun: Maverick , revealed to GQ UK in 2024 that Tom Cruise gave him a six-hour video in which the actor analyzed film history and the filmmaking knowledge he had accumulated after decades in Hollywood. Speaking about this video, Tom Cruise stated that the content was essentially just basic knowledge to help viewers better understand the lens, framing, and how to use them in filmmaking. According to him, storytelling through images has many different layers. Those in the profession need to understand the basic principles before they can freely apply them, or even forget them, during the creative process.
Source: Thanh Nein Newspaper
