How Tom Cruise made it through the end of the movie star era

Tom Cruise arrives at Cannes on Wednesday for the first time in 30 years to promote “Top Gun: Maverick,” and nothing has changed in the film business since his previous visit, save for his box office dominance.

In Hollywood, where superhero franchises have become considerably more financially valuable to studios than individual performers and actresses, such durability is uncommon.

When Cruise was last at Cannes with his then-wife Nicole Kidman for the premiere of the ill-fated “Far and Away,” he was just one of many Hollywood stars.

In 1992, Kevin Costner, Mel Gibson, and Bruce Willis commanded the box office, but their names have since faded.

“Cruise is remarkable in that he has maintained his commercial weight even while studios have been dominated by superhero franchise pictures,” said Paul McDonald, professor of media industries at King’s College London.

“And it’s all the more surprising because he’ll be 60 this year.”

The last Hollywood movie star of his sort — short as ever but nevertheless larger-than-life in an age where most renowned actors are only as big as their action figures,” it appears ready to cement his reputation as “the last Hollywood movie star of his kind.”

There is little hint of Cruise falling into oblivion, with two more instalments of the highly successful “Mission: Impossible” series planned in 2023 and 2024, maybe followed by a long-rumored picture shot in space.

“Tom Cruise is adored by theatre owners because he has dedicated his entire life to the art of cinema. His films are designed and made with the large screen in mind “Dergarabedian stated.

Cruise has become a film advocate, even slipping into a screening of Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” during the pandemic’s peak in summer 2020 to increase ticket sales.

He recently told Empire magazine, “I’ve produced 30 to 40 movies.” “I am in charge of tens of thousands, if not millions, of employment.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cruise allegedly sued Paramount last year for only granting the next “Mission: Impossible” a 45-day window in theatres before streaming, an issue that has yet to be settled.

However, it goes over extremely well in Cannes, which is governed in part by theatre owners and has prevented streamers from competing.

“He is someone who is passionate about movies. To see Tom Cruise, you must go to a movie theatre and see a full film.”