Particle.news
Download on the App Store

At SXSW, Steven Spielberg Says Tom Cruise Outworked Him

Spielberg’s remarks spotlight Cruise’s reputation for rigorous preparation.

Overview

  • Speaking in Austin, Spielberg said Cruise arrived before the crew and met him at daybreak to map out each shooting day.
  • The director’s comments drew on their collaborations on Minority Report (2002) and War of the Worlds (2005).
  • Cruise told People in May 2025 that he constantly trains and learns skills he expects to use on screen, from piano and dance to parachuting and flying.
  • Christopher McQuarrie has said that when viewers see Cruise in a plane he is at the controls, calling him a one‑man film crew.
  • Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski said Cruise designed a training course for co‑stars, and actor Glen Powell praised his discipline and generosity.