Tom Cruise’s time-loop sci-fi actioner Edge of Tomorrow is one of his absolute best movies, but the reason why his character, Bill Cage, becomes the hero is very unusual. Pitched somewhere between Independence Day and Groundhog Day, Edge of Tomorrow sees Cage going to war against alien invaders, dying horrifically on the battlefield, and reliving that same day over and over again. With each loop, Cage gains more and more knowledge about the invasion, and it could be the key to humanity’s victory over the malevolent “Mimics.”

It’s established that Cage’s commanding officer – the stern-faced General Brigham, played brilliantly by Brendan Gleeson in the Edge of Tomorrow cast – has a grudge against him. But, early in the movie, it’s also made clear that Cage has no experience in a warzone. Therefore, why Cage was sent to the frontlines to fight back against the Mimics in the first place can seem contradictory. However, the film does explain how someone who was not fit for battles ended up on the battlefield against an army of aliens.

General Brigham Sent Cage To Battle Due To His Inexperience In Edge Of Tomorrow

It Was Essentially A Punishment For Cage

At the beginning of Edge of Tomorrow, it’s established that Cage is a public affairs officer who doesn’t have any combat experience. As the United Defense Force is preparing a massive invasion against the alien-controlled France, General Brigham orders Tom Cruise’s Cage to face death on the frontlines to cover the offensive. However, Cage tries to avoid going to the battlefield and have the order reversed because he’s afraid of facing any real danger. That’s why he went into PR. However, this ends up backfiring horribly for Cage.

The sequel to Edge of Tomorrow has been stuck in development hell for a decade.

Brigham is so incensed by Cage’s attempt to have his order rescinded that he has him arrested. He demotes Cage to an infantry position and sends him to the battlefield, but not as a PR officer – as a soldier. He’s assigned to serve under Master Sergeant Farell, played by Bill Paxton, in his ragtag unit, the “J-Squad.” If Cage had just followed Brigham’s order, he could’ve gone to the frontlines simply as an observer. But by protesting his order, he ended up having to risk his life.

Why Tom Cruise’s Cage Blackmails General Brigham

Cage Is A Coward Who Was Desperate To Avoid Combat

When Brigham orders Cage to go to the frontlines to cover the offensive, Cage attempts to blackmail Brigham to get him to rescind the order. This is simply because Cage is a coward who doesn’t want to have to go into an active warzone. Brigham recognizes this cowardice and chooses a punishment that fits the crime: forcing Cage to go to the frontlines as an infantryman. It was interesting to see Tom Cruise play a character that was so different from his usual brave, heroic type in Edge of Tomorrow.

Unsurprisingly, Cage’s first battle goes incredibly wrong, and not just because of his lack of experience or courage. The Mimics knew what was about to happen and were ready to counter humanity’s attack. However, after coming in contact with the blood of an Alpha mimic right before he died, Cage gained powers. As a result, the coward who wanted to stay as far away as possible from the battlefield was forced to become a hero in Edge of Tomorrow.