While Tom Cruise may be known as one of Hollywood’s biggest icons, he is lesser known for just how strict he is with himself, something that he doesn’t like to brag about. Naturally, his adherence to his ideals and policies also trickles down to the cast and crew of films he works on with other stars as well to ensure they give nothing but their best performances on-screen.
Therefore, it’s no surprise that Cruise would carry those sentiments of hard work and dedication to the sets of Top Gun: Maverick, for which he had a strict policy for the cast and crew to not consume alcohol on set for actors to be in top shape for flight sequences. This may have been one of the biggest reasons for the film almost earning a staggering $1.5 Billion at the box office.
How Tom Cruise’s No-Alcohol Policy On-Set Made Top Gun: Maverick A Grand Success
While Paramount Pictures initially wanted to release Top Gun: Maverick on their streaming platform, it was Tom Cruise who demanded them to release it in cinemas the next year because he believed in the film becoming a success. And sure enough, this sequel broke all the records of 2022 and became one of the highest-grossing films in history with $1.49 Billion at the box office.
Part of the reason why the star had such faith in the film was that he personally ensured that the co-stars he worked with on set were completely sober and in the best shape of their lives, which is the reason why he had a strict no-alcohol policy on the sets of the film.
This policy stemmed from the fact that the movie had a lot of flight sequences in fighter jets, which travel at unfathomable speeds, and for that, he didn’t want the stars inebriated in any manner. The Eyes Wide Shut star’s co-star Miles Teller talked about this policy (via Daily Star) about how despite his craving some alcohol, he had to hold himself back, saying:
“There were days after a tough shoot that I could have really used a couple of beers, but you just don’t want to be flying at those speeds hungover.”
These performances were the big reason why everyone loved the film to such an extent that it became an instant classic.
What’s Next For Tom Cruise?
Despite all the commercial and critical success that the star has brought for Paramount Pictures over the years, it seems like both of them will be going their separate ways in the future following Cruise’s deal with Warner Bros.
As for the projects he will be undertaking, he’s already deep in production for his upcoming Mission: Impossible- Dead Reckoning sequel, which will be released next year. Apart from that, the third film in the Top Gun series is in the works as well along with the sequel of his sci-fi blockbuster Edge of Tomorrow rumored to be in development.
Top Gun: Maverick, streaming on Paramount+.
