The first details about a new Tom Cruise movie have surfaced, and it just might give the actor his best role in 25 years. After spending much of his time in recent years making franchise installments and entertaining action movies, Cruise is finally on the cusp of breaking away from those practices and returning to working with auteur filmmakers. He was meant to team up with Quentin Tarantino in his now-canceled movie, but the actor also has a film in development with Oscar-winning director Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Birdman and The Revenant).

Development on Tom Cruise and Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s new movie has been underway since early 2024, when the actor’s casting was first reported. However, the plot and the type of role Cruise would play remained a mystery. It has now been revealed (via Deadline) that the story follows “the most powerful man in the world” as he attempts to become “humanity’s savior.” The catch is that he’s unleashed something that will destroy everything. There is no doubt that this is the role that Tom Cruise is meant to play, and it sounds like an auspicious opportunity for him to shine.

Tom Cruise’s New Movie Role As Humanity’s Savior Is Very Exciting

It’s A Twist On A Common Stereotype For Cruise

What makes Tom Cruise’s role as humanity’s savior in the new movie so exciting is how it builds on his career to this point and his most famous roles. Cruise has become a major star, in part, because of the often heroic roles that he plays. Whether its Ethan Hunt or Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell, the actor typically plays heroes who are the key to saving the world or humanity in some case. Iñárritu’s movie is poised to put Cruise back in that same stereotype, although the circumstances are very different.

Audiences should have no trouble buying him as the “savior” character, since that is what he is best known for at this point. Cruise has even positioned himself somewhat as Hollywood’s savior thanks to his dedication to the theatrical experience before and after Top Gun: Maverick‘s record performance. But, it sounds like Cruise’s new movie role will essentially have him be the villain behind humanity’s potential doom. This creates the potential for the movie to deconstruct Cruise’s hero/savior complex, which could help him deliver one of his best performances ever.

This Can Be Tom Cruise’s Best Role Since Magnolia

It Was His Last Oscar-Nominated Performance

The potential that exists for Tom Cruise’s new role and the type of performance he could give under Iñárritu’s direction could easily make it his best role since Magnolia. Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1999 movie was critically acclaimed and even brought a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for Cruise. While he’s worked on several notable projects since then, none have brought him the same level of awards recognition. Iñárritu’s movies tend to get its performers Oscar nominations, if not wins, so Cruise could be next if the performance is everything imagined.

Tom Cruise’s Oscar Nominations

Movie
Category

Born On The Fourth Of July
Best Actor

Jerry Maguire
Best Actor

Magnolia
Best Supporting Actor

Even if Tom Cruise’s new movie role doesn’t get him an Oscar nomination like Magnolia did, it could still be his best performance since then. He’s had great performances over the last 25 years, whether in Collateral, Minority Report, or Top Gun: Maverick, but they still did not reach the emotional heights of his Oscar-nominated performance. Iñárritu’s track record and Tom Cruise‘s interest in seeking out this project are signs that the actor could be in line for one of his best roles ever.