Sean Penn’s Unexpected Praise for Tom Cruise
In a recent podcast, Oscar-winner Sean Penn surprised many by discussing his admiration for fellow actor Tom Cruise. While the discussion was centered around Hollywood actors he considers peers, Penn did not mention the more frequently compared Academy Award-winner Daniel Day Lewis. Instead, he chose to revisit memories from a long-ago collaboration with Cruise, emphasizing their enduring friendship.
When asked about Cruise, Penn stated, “Tom Cruise…he is a guy who pursues excellence on a very high level.” This simple yet powerful acknowledgment set the tone for a deeper conversation about the various forms of artistry in film.
Penn was quick to address potential criticisms regarding the contrast between independent films, which he often produces, and the blockbusters that Cruise is known for. “Now, I understand certain kinds of movies people appreciate more than other kinds of movies,” he remarked, without specifying which categories held higher esteem. “But this is a very good actor who’s also an extraordinarily committed craftsman.”
He continued, explaining how films in the blockbuster genre can’t achieve their level of success without an extraordinary talent behind them. “Those movies don’t get made on that level—whether you love ‘em or they’re not your cup of tea—without somebody extraordinary behind it, and he’s the common link between too many of them for it not to be him. It’s no accident.” This statement underlines Penn’s respect for the undeniable influence Cruise has in Hollywood.
Penn did not stop there; he made another bold statement. “He’s probably the best stuntman in the movie world when it comes to the amount of skills he has and what he can do with them. And maybe the most experienced in things because they choreograph things for him to do that nobody’s ever been able to afford to put another stuntman to the test on, so he’s probably advanced the whole thing. Pretty amazing.” This praise highlights the physical demands and skills required in the film industry.
Podcast host Louis Theroux humorously interjected, “Apologies to all the stuntmen out there.” To this, Penn responded, “I would like to think they probably celebrate a guy like that. It makes the whole genre, that is the most demanding of those skills, create more jobs. I’m sure he’s had some very good training from exceptional stunt people, as well.” This exchange captures the camaraderie and mutual respect amongst professionals in the industry.
This conversation comes as Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning director Christopher McQuarrie shared insights into one of Cruise’s remarkable stunts in the upcoming film. Describing a daring moment, McQuarrie said, “When you watch Tom tonight, there’s a moment where he’s in an airplane. He’s in a biplane, completely alone at the controls.”
Cruise famously took on the role of the entire crew for this sequence. McQuarrie explained, “Tom is lighting the shot by how he’s positioning the plane and its relationship to the sun, and he’s operating focus just off-camera. He is the crew in every single shot you’re seeing. And nobody tells you to stop.”
The difficulties didn’t end there. “When you leave the cockpit of the plane, it’s like stepping onto the surface of another planet. The wind is hitting you in excess of 140 miles an hour coming off of the propeller. The molecules in the air are so dispersed. You’re breathing, but only physically. You’re not actually getting oxygen.” McQuarrie paints a vivid picture of the physical challenges that Cruise faces while delivering his performance.
The behind-the-scenes drama intensifies with gripping anecdotes about moments of suspense, where the crew wondered if Cruise was still conscious. Ultimately, he managed to recover and land the plane safely, with only two minutes of fuel remaining. McQuarrie concluded the tale with, “No one on Earth can do that,” solidifying Cruise’s unique place in the cinematic world.
It appears that Sean Penn shares this sentiment, aligning his thoughts with McQuarrie’s depiction of Cruise’s exceptional skills and dedication. Their exchanges showcase a profound level of respect among the heavyweights in the film industry, celebrating not only individual talent but also the collaborative spirit that fuels new cinematic adventures.