Beau Bridges, who starred alongside Tom Cruise in the iconic 90s film “Jerry Maguire,” recently shared his admiration for the actor, stating that Cruise seems to improve with age. During a recent event, Bridges expressed his gratitude for having worked with Cruise, noting, “He’s a fantastic actor who’s become even more skilled as time goes on. He takes on daredevil stunts and, honestly, it’s impressive. Plus, he’s just a really good guy.”
Bridges isn’t alone in his thoughts on Cruise’s daring performances. Earlier this year, Ethan Hawke spoke out, admitting he feels somewhat frustrated with Cruise. He explained that the star’s commitment to high-risk stunts has shifted audience expectations in Hollywood, making it seem like using a stunt team somehow lessens an actor’s value. “Tom has completely altered the game for what we expect from actors,” Hawke remarked at the Sundance Film Festival. “I’ve carried some frustration about that for quite some time.”
Cruise, known for his roles in the “Mission: Impossible” series and “Top Gun,” continues to push boundaries with real stunts. He notably avoided superhero films but became an action icon through his willingness to take risks. Notably, he almost suffered a serious injury during filming for the latest “Mission: Impossible” installment.
In bonus features for the film’s digital release, Cruise recounted a particularly challenging sequence involving a high-altitude biplane battle. “I almost broke my back,” he recalled, referring to the intensity of clinging to a plane wing and leaping between aircrafts. Director Christopher McQuarrie chimed in, joking about the pain Cruise endured while filming that scene, which involved a pretty brutal crash into the side of a plane.
“It was so painful to watch,” McQuarrie said, recalling how intense the filming was for both of them. As they reflected on the experience, it was clear that the level of commitment it takes to create those scenes is immense, and maybe not entirely wise. But it does, undeniably, elevate the tension and excitement in the films.
