Just nine years ago, Tom Cruise was on the hot seat with Paramount, nearly getting booted from his own Mission Impossible franchise.
Tom Cruise was almost fired from Mission: Impossible (Photo Credit – Instagram)Sumner Redstone, then chairman of Paramount’s parent company, made headlines for all the wrong reasons.
He publicly blasted Cruise, stating, “We don’t think that someone who effectuates creative suicide and costs the company revenue should be on the lot.” Ouch! This was no casual conversation; Redstone was irked about Mission: Impossible III’s disappointing performance, which brought in nearly $100 million less than its predecessor.
What was the problem? Tom’s behavior. He had been all over the news—championing Scientology, criticizing Brooke Shields for her use of medication, and, of course, jumping on Oprah’s couch in a moment of pure infamy. Redstone described Cruise’s antics as “over the top,” and he wasn’t wrong. Fans, especially women, were starting to roll their eyes. The actor’s Q rating had plummeted over 40%—definitely not a good look for Hollywood’s once-great superstar.
Then came a career reset. After his infamous couch incident, Cruise fired his long-time publicist and hired his sister instead. Not exactly the best move for someone in dire need of a PR makeover. The tabloids had a field day, with headlines questioning his sanity. But sometimes, being down can lead to an unexpected comeback.
Tom took a step back from action-packed blockbusters and dipped his toes into smaller films like Lions for Lambs and Valkyrie. Mixed reviews aside, it was his outrageous turn as Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder that put him back on the radar. Everyone was buzzing about how he stole the show, and suddenly, Hollywood was asking if we could get more of that wild character.
As he prepped for a comeback, Cruise was all in for Mission: Impossible 4. His secret weapon? J.J. Abrams, the rising star at Paramount. But here’s the kicker: the studio was still a bit shaky. They wanted fresh blood—enter Jeremy Renner, fresh off his Oscar win for The Hurt Locker.
When Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol dropped on December 16, 2011, it was a box office smash, pulling in nearly $700 million worldwide. Talk about a redemption arc! And we can’t forget that jaw-dropping IMAX stunt on the Burj Khalifa. While folks once labeled him “crazy” for couch-jumping, now they were cheering for him as he dangled from the tallest building in the world!
Paramount, who had once cut ties like a bad haircut, was back in the Tom Cruise business faster than you could say “action sequel.” With a new franchise rolling and Jack Reacher on the horizon, they didn’t think twice about reviving Mission: Impossible. In Hollywood, it’s all about that comeback, baby! Turns out, we still need Tom Cruise—who knew that couch jumping could lead to such heights?
News
You Won’t Believe This: Tom Cruise’s Overlooked Sci-Fi Flick Features a Sneaky Spielberg Cameo!
The best kinds of cameos are ones that are totally unexpected, sandwiched between innocuous scenes or poised in the background as a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it tidbit. Directors often make brief appearances in their own films, where some, like Alfred Hitchcock, feature in a chunk…
Why Bella Cruise Said “No” to Tom’s Penthouse and Chose Simple Life in Croydon Instead
Bella Cruise has opted for a more lowkey life in South London Bella reportedly moved to Croydon in 2017 (Image: 2021 Mike Marsland) Bella Cruise, the daughter of Hollywood heavyweights Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, has been quietly living in Croydon with…
Shocking Love Confession: Tom Cruise’s Co-Star Was Completely Smitten with Him on Set!
Tom Cruise starred opposite Rebecca De Mornay in Risky Business (Picture: Warner Bros) Rebecca De Mornay has unpacked her whirlwind romance with Tom Cruise after they lit up the screen together in the 80s. The former co-stars became close while filming Risky Business in…
Tom Cruise’s Real-Life Mission Impossible: How He’s Trying to Save His Life
‘Mission Impossible’ star Tom Cruise takes a ‘heart-pounding’ from danger Inside ‘Mission Impossible’ star Tom Cruise’s attempt to save his life Tom Cruise seemingly looked worried upon his arrival in London on Wednesday, October 9, amidst the Hurricane Milton warnings…
Tom Cruise Ditches ‘MI 8’ Filming Amid Fears for His Florida Penthouse—What’s Really Happening?
‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning 2’ starring Tom Cruise is scheduled to release in 2025 ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning 2’ starring Tom Cruise is scheduled to release in 2025 Hollywood’s top notch star Tom Cruise went deeply concerned for…
The Truth Comes Out: Tom Cruise’s Ex Exposes the Biggest Lie About Their Time Together
Plus Icon Tom CruiseGilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images. If you were alive in the 1980s, then chances are you remember the It-couple of the mid-80s: Tom Cruise and Rebecca De Mornay. Many thought the Risky Business stars would go the distance; however, their romance ended…
End of content
No more pages to load