Tom Cruise saved one of the greatest British crime comedies and kickstarted the careers of Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie by his endorsement.

Tom Cruise and Jason Statham

Actor Tom Cruise is known for his utmost dedication to the cinematic experience. In 2022, he ‘saved cinema’ by releasing the air-force action film Top Gun: Maverick, which earned more than a billion at the box office and is credited with bringing back audiences to theaters. He has supported good cinema since the beginning of his career.

Even before he revived the exhibition industry after the pandemic with Top Gun: Maverick, Cruise reportedly helped out budding filmmakers he saw potential in. His endorsement for 1998’s Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels reportedly saved the producers from retiring before they even started and launched the careers of Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie.

Tom Cruise Helped Start A Bidding War For Jason Statham’s Feature Debut

Jason Statham in Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking BarrelsA still from Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels | Credits: Summit Entertainment/Gramercy Pictures

Guy Ritchie is known for his crime comedy films such as Snatch, The Gentlemen, Revolver, and more. The filmmaker has a signature style of comedy that made him one of the frontrunners of a British new wave along with filmmakers like Matthew Vaughn and Edgar Wright. He also helped launch actors like Jason Statham and Vinnie Jones.

However, the filmmaker’s debut feature film Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels reportedly got into trouble when nobody was ready to release it. Vaugh, who co-produced the film, was reportedly considering an early retirement even before his career started as they feared they would face intense losses due to the lack of interest.

Tom CruiseTom Cruise in Magnolia | Credits: New Line Cinema

As a Hail Mary, Vaughn said to BBC Radio 4, the makers approached Tom Cruise to attend the screening of the film to which he agreed. His attendance reportedly helped the makers secure a release and it ended up becoming a launch pad for Ritchie, Statham, and Vaughn.

It was hysterical. You had all these mid-level executives sitting there, and Cruise walked in. He saw them all sit up and pay attention, all getting on their phones, and suddenly all these senior executives joined the screening. At the end, Tom got up in front of everyone and said ‘This is the best movie I’ve seen in years, you guys would be fools not to buy it.’

The film was reportedly released by Summit Entertainment internationally and by Gramercy Pictures in the United States. It ended up grossing over $28 million at the box office, against a $1.35 million budget (via The Numbers).

Matthew Vaughn’s Kick-Ass Presentation At Comic Con Also Led To A Bidding War

Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Kick-AssA still from Kick-Ass | Credits: Universal Pictures

Filmmaker Matthew Vaughn has been behind many of the best crime and action comedies of the past few years. Making his feature film directorial debut with the Daniel Craig starrer Layer Cake, he went on to make the fantasy adventure film Stardust before taking on the Kick-Ass adaptation.

Starring Nicolas Cage, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Chloë Grace Moretz along with an ensemble cast, the film was reportedly developed simultaneously with the comic created by Mark Millar. Similar to Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, Vaughn reportedly could not get any distributors until he made a presentation at that year’s Comic-Con (via BBC Radio 4).

We came on after Avatar. So, Avatar had a big presentation and then we came out. And the place went crazy. Bam! Bidding war, the next day. I mean, it blew the roof off.

The film ended up earning over $96 million against a $30 million budget and even received a sequel, which Vaughn did not direct (via Box Office Mojo).

Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels is available to rent on Apple TV.