In a significant development, Warner Bros Discovery announced on Tuesday that it has reached a deal with Tom Cruise, a highly bankable figure in Hollywood. The agreement entails the development and production of both original and franchise theatrical films in 2024. Cruise’s collaboration with Warner Bros Motion Picture Group’s co-chairs, Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, fulfills CEO David Zaslav’s long-standing aspiration to collaborate with top-tier talent in both behind and in front of the camera roles.
Commenting on the deal, Comscore senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian emphasized the importance of securing Cruise, stating, “Inking a deal with arguably the biggest movie star in the world, Tom Cruise, is hugely significant.” The move reflects the industry trend of studios highlighting their partnerships with high-profile filmmakers and stars to demonstrate their commitment to these coveted creatives.
Tom Cruise, renowned for his roles in blockbuster films such as “Top Gun,” “The Last Samurai,” and the “Mission: Impossible” series, will establish an office on the Warner Bros Discovery lot in Burbank, following in the footsteps of stars like Clint Eastwood and Frank Sinatra.
With a career spanning five decades, Cruise’s films have collectively earned over $12 billion globally. Notably, the 2022 release of “Top Gun: Maverick” grossed nearly $1.5 billion, according to Comscore. His latest film, “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One,” garnered $568 million in worldwide box office proceeds.
The agreement with Warner Bros is non-exclusive, allowing Cruise to simultaneously work on the next installment of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise for Paramount Pictures, as per insider sources.
This collaboration comes at a crucial time for Warner Bros and other major studios, as they strive to recover from an extended work stoppage in 2023. Hollywood writers and actors initiated strikes, demanding higher wages and protection against the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in filmmaking.
The dual strikes resulted in the shutdown of a significant portion of film and television production, impacting late-night talk shows and prompting broadcast networks to fill TV slots with repeats of reality shows. Cruise’s next “Mission: Impossible” film faced delays due to the protracted work stoppage, adding to the challenges faced by Paramount Global during one of the longest strikes in the history of the U.S. entertainment industry.
