tom Cruise is back in theatres in Mission Impossible III. Cruise seems always in the headlines, but he may be the only one who doesn't read those tabloid1 stories. He recently sat down with our entertainment contributor Jess Cagle to talk about his new movie, his family, and why he tunes out the rest of the world.
You live your life, work hard, and do the best you can. Basically, that's what I'm doing with my life. And ever since you start with actors, the rumors, this and that2, I can literally predict what people are going to say, because I have been through it for 25 years. OK? And that's the world you live in. For me, I don't even pay attention to it. It's like, “whatever.”
And what Cruise is doing these days is Mission Impossible III, the latest adventure thrill ride that's already taken in over $1 billion at the box office.
I never look to top3 myself. I don't know how to do that. I really look for what interests me. I wanted that personal side of Ethan (his character in the film). I get excited about everything on a movie set. I feel like a little kid every time I get on a movie set. I love it. So that's what I'm looking for.
The story in this one is more straightforward4, not as intricate5 as the first two movies. Was that on purpose?
It absolutely was. I never wanted to confuse an audience. I know, so it confused some people, Mission I, and at times, Mission II—there was a small percentage of the audience. But, really, it is a love story. And it's just rife6 for drama and conflict.