Ethan Hawke Expresses Frustration Over Tom Cruise’s Impact on Stunt Work in Hollywood

Ethan Hawke recently shared his growing “anger” towards Tom Cruise, stating that the star’s commitment to performing his own stunts has significantly shifted expectations for actors in Hollywood. Hawke, 55, was at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival promoting his latest film, *The Weight*, which premiered on January 26th. During a discussion, he expressed his frustration, feeling that Cruise has raised the bar concerning actors and their involvement in stunts.

“Tom Cruise completely changed what is expected of an actor. I’ve held onto this anger for years because using a stunt team somehow makes everyone feel inferior,” Hawke stated.

Interestingly, there are reports that Cruise declined an opportunity to star in a space movie due to concerns over cooperating with President Trump.

“What I liked about our movie was that there were no ridiculous stunts,” Hawke remarked about *The Weight*. He emphasized that the stunts in his film were grounded in reality, stating, “It’s a human thing. It’s not like things are exploding.” He noted that these weren’t the extreme superhero-like stunts.

Though Cruise, 63, hasn’t participated in any superhero films, he has built a reputation as an action film icon. His insistence on performing high-risk stunts, like those in *Mission: Impossible* and *Top Gun*, has become a defining characteristic of his career.

Christopher McQuarrie, director of *Mission: Impossible*, once mentioned that there are “no limits” to what Cruise will attempt in terms of dangerous feats, which include clinging to a plane during takeoff and free-falling from helicopters.

During an interview, Padrick McKinley, director of *The Weight*, added that Hawke often downplayed the level of physical effort he exerted during filming. “Ethan didn’t mention all the stunts he did, like driving an old car with a tricky clutch,” McKinley explained, highlighting that Hawke performed practically every shot, only missing a few wide shots after nearly injuring himself.

*The Weight* is set in Oregon during 1933 and follows the story of Samuel Murphy (played by Hawke), a widower struggling to reunite with his daughter. He’s sent to a labor camp and, in pursuit of freedom, embarks on a perilous mission to smuggle gold.

Hawke’s performance involved significant physical challenges, including traversing rugged terrain and enduring extreme cold, such as holding his breath underwater in a frigid river. He mentioned that he connected deeply with the character’s determination, reflecting on what it means to overcome adversity for the sake of love.

As a father of four, Hawke brought personal elements to his character, stating, “This is about love, and that’s what makes this script timeless. Some of the best action movies ever are rooted in reality.”