Photo by Scott Garfield/Scott Garfield – © 2018 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All rights reserved.
Tom Cruise explains his reason for not becoming a director. While widely considered the medium’s foremost proponent, known for his dedication to cinema and stringent standards he set, he has never stepped behind the lens.
During his recent appearance on the Kelce brothers’ New Heights podcast, Cruise was inquired about whether he had ever intended to direct. To this, the “Mission: Impossible” star said, “You know what? Since I was a kid, friends have been like, you should direct.
“I’ve studied the old movies, and these guys are able to make four movies a year. I want to make a lot of movies, and I’ve wanted to make a lot of films. And I love working with different directors. I love learning from them, seeing their stories, setting the table for them. Giving them opportunities.”
He addresses to the NFL players, continuing, “It’s like, look, you guys weren’t drafted first round, you know, but they saw that light in you, and that ability, and you guys bring it. And I like… The people that I’m choosing or working [with], maybe not everybody knows necessarily — some do, some don’t.”
[tf-tv]
Cruise extended his thoughts “But I’m not just talking about directors; it’s everything. The fun of that — to have that opportunity — if I’m directing, I don’t get to do that. I don’t have that experience. That’s kind of the way that I think about things… That’s what I feel about directors. I want to help them. The cinematographers, the actors, and I want to learn… I like seeing their point of view on things, and I like mixing it up.”
Talking about his love of being on set and witnessing every aspect of the filmmaking process, Tom Cruise said, “I’m not interested in going to my trailer. I like being with the crew. I like being with everyone.”
“I like being there on the set. So they have a box for me, and I’m always hanging out,” the Digger star continued. “I’m watching what they’re doing; I’m vibing with the director and everyone; I’m always there.”
Not to overlook, Cruise’s meticulous focus on technical aspects is one of his most notable traits in the entertainment field over decades. In the case of Top Gun: Maverick, he developed a thorough aviation training regimen for the cast, enabling them to handle the in-cockpit IMAX cameras while enduring powerful, combined G-forces.
Essentially, Tom Cruise’s filmmaking approach transcends acting.