Tom Cruise Single Handedly Saved Major Studio from Extinction With $694M Blockbuster Despite Being Stabbed Twice in the Back

Tom Cruise has given an incredible list of projects to Hollywood with his unique action sequences that awed even the stunt person. Whether it be the super popular Mission: Impossible series or last year’s Top Gun: Maverick, we know him all too well. But his superstardom charm was not always on the top as he once had to face an extremely difficult situation which came when his film underperformed.

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Despite giving the remarkable role of Ethan Hunt in Paramount’s Mission: Impossible series, the studio backstabbed him twice. But he chose to give his best in his craft which ultimately came to fruition when he gained global interest with his 2011’s comeback.

Paramount Fired Tom Cruise After Mission: Impossible 3

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Tom Cruise has won hearts globally with his incredibly difficult stunts which were one of the reasons why the Mission: Impossible series rose to greater interest. However, the franchise too had its bad days especially in 2006 when Mission: Impossible 3 disappointed many including Paramount Pictures. His extra efforts further added pressure to their decision who eventually cut ties with him for good. Not only did they get him fired from his own franchise but they also terminated his production deal.

In their official statement, Sumner Redstone, chairman of Paramount’s parent company Viacom shared in 2006,

“We don’t think that someone who effectuates creative suicide and costs the company revenue should be on the lot, His recent conduct has not been acceptable to Paramount.”

Despite garnering positive reviews, it grossed $398 million worldwide which was less than what the predecessor earned in its theatrical run. Cruise got stabbed twice in the back when the studio decided to replace him with Jeremy Renner introduced in the franchise.

Jeremy Renner Was Set to Replace Tom Cruise Before He Saved The Studio

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After going through a difficult period, Cruise went away from the leading roles and got starred in small films. His supporting role as Les Grossman in Ben Stiller’s Tropic Thunder caught Hollywood’s attention bringing back the acting potential that Cruise is known for. It opened doors for him to get back to his famous franchise but Paramount still had doubts over his potential which is how they decided to bring a new face for the famous film series.

Brad Bird directed Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol featured a new team alongside Ethan Hunt which included his replacement, Jeremy Renner’s William Brandt. In an interview, the latter addressed his future stating, “It’s a franchise to potentially take over […] that’s certainly the idea.”

However, it was not needed as Cruise proved his leading place with the fourth installment that grossed $694 million worldwide. He was highly acclaimed for his performance other than the stunt sequences. It was a major success for the studio as well who lost the Marvel Studios movies after Disney’s acquisition. That year was the first time when the studio saw itself on top since its predecessor film. It further strengthened Cruise’s position not only in Paramount but also in Hollywood which is still in demand.

The franchise’s new installment, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is set to release in the United States on July 12.

Source: ScreenCrush