tom cruise in japan

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The Last Samurai

Nathan Algren, a US army veteran, is hired by the Japanese emperor to train his army in the modern warfare techniques. Nathan finds himself trapped in a struggle between two eras and two wor... Read all Nathan Algren, a US army veteran, is hired by the Japanese emperor to train his army in the modern warfare techniques. Nathan finds himself trapped in a struggle between two eras and two worlds. Nathan Algren, a US army veteran, is hired by the Japanese emperor to train his army in the modern warfare techniques. Nathan finds himself trapped in a struggle between two eras and two worlds.

Edward Zwick
Marshall Herskovitz
Ken Watanabe
Billy Connolly
1K User reviews
125 Critic reviews
55 Metascore
20 wins & 67 nominations total

Nathan Algren

Zebulon Gant

Winchester Rep

Winchester Rep Assistant
Convention Hall Attendee

Colonel Bagley

Omura's Companion

Omura's Bodyguard

Simon Graham

Emperor Meiji

General Hasegawa
Young Recruit

All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

Trivia Tom Cruise spent almost two years in preparation for this movie, including swordplay instruction and Japanese-language lessons.
Goofs After Katsumoto and Algren meet with Colonel Bagley and Omura before the final battle, Algren rides back into the Samurai front lines. When he dismounts his horse, the horse kicks back and hits one of the Samurai who then stumbles backwards unsure of what just happened.

Katsumoto : The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life.

Crazy credits The opening Warner Bros. logo is light blue on a solid black background.
Connections Featured in Siskel & Ebert: 21 Grams/The Singing Detective/Looney Tunes: Back in Action/Gothika/Tupac Resurrection (2003)
Soundtracks Kagura-No-Netori Performed by Tokyo Gakuso Courtesy of Columbia Music Entertainment, Inc.

User reviews 1K

jimbo-53-186511
Nov 16, 2015
What is 'The Last Samurai' about?
Is 'The Last Samurai' based on a book?
In what year is the story set?
December 5, 2003 (United States)
United States
New Zealand
Official site
Setfilmizle
Nijo Castle, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, Japan
Warner Bros.
The Bedford Falls Company
Cruise/Wagner Productions
See more company credits at IMDbPro
$140,000,000 (estimated)
$111,127,263
$24,271,354
Dec 7, 2003
$454,627,263

Technical specs

Runtime 2 hours 34 minutes
Dolby Digital

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Tom Cruise in Japan for Top Gun Maverick

He is back! Yes, Tom Cruise, who is about to release the latest movie “ Top Gun Maverick” in Japan on May 27th (Friday), is back in Tokyo for the first time in about four years.

Tom Cruise in Tokyo – Day 1

36 years after the movie “Top Gun” released in 1986, the global premiere was held in San Diego, USA on May 4, prior to the worldwide release of the long-awaited sequel “Top Gun Maverick”. After three more destinations on the crew’s global tour, Tom Cruise finally landed in Japan on May 23rd for the first day of meet and greet held at the stylish Roppongi Midtown Conference Hall.

Tom Cruise Coming to Japan by Hersey Shiga

With big fanfare and traditional Top Gun music, Tom entered the stage greeting a hall full of journalists, “…to be back here, after so many years and to bring you this, is very exciting and it’s a privilege. We’re very excited. It’s emotional, I think, for both of us to be here.!

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“… I kept telling my friends here that I’m coming and coming. Do not worry. We’re going to have this movie and it’s going to be on big screen

“…I told everyone, they’re going to see something they’ve never, ever seen before. And it’s a very entertaining, emotional film. And we wanted to make a movie that celebrates life. And then when you walk out of the theater, you just feel like the first time… as writers we wanted to give something very, very special.

Tom particularly lauded Jerry Bruckheimer and the entire cast, “… I was very fortunate as a young actor to be able to work with him (Jerry Bruckheimer) on this film (Top Gun 1986) and also to see his career and him produce some of the best entertaining films of the last decades…

Jerry Bruckheimer agreed, “Thank you so much for having us, it’s an honor for us both…

He continued, “…What you see on the screen looks easy. It looks nice. But it’s very, very hard to do. And it takes someone like Tom who works tirelessly.

“…Tom trains himself, like a world class athlete, which is what he is, do the things that he does, not only in the plane, but you see what he does …he does those stunts – that’s not somebody else!

Day 2: Top Gun Maverick Red Carpet Event in Yokohama

Tom smiled and continued explaining how he prepared and filmed the scenes in the cockpit, and how the studio executives often had hard times understanding what was going on until they saw the final cut. But a real challenge for the entire crew was to cope with the sudden fallout of the global pandemic.

As you would expect from Tom’s previous red carpet events in Japan, this one in Yokohama at the Intl Passenger Terminal was a blast. Going out of his way, Tom took most of the time for his over 400 fans who greeted him with screams and tears in the eyes.

And even though, it was strictly forbidden to take selfies with the superstar, Tom encouraged every fan to go ahead, “Take selfies with me… Did you take a selfie with me?…” Once more underlying his image as “Maverick.” The fans couldn’t believe their luck and quickly whipped our their cameras, while all the TV broadcasters had to wait in line.

Tom was later joined by Jerry Bruckheimer on the red carpet who brought his lovely wife Linda along. Both Jerry and his wife know Japan very well and are always very happy to be back. Lucky for the TV broadcasters, at least Jerry Bruckheimer took over some of Tom’s media obligations.

As the sun set and the event slowly came to an end, both ‘Tom and Jerry’ got ready for a final photo session for the waiting journalists. One can say that the event ended on a big bang as Yokohama bay was lit up by an amazing fireworks.

But the best news Tom saved for last as he announced he would be back in Japan soon – then for his other upcoming blockbuster movie “Mission Impossible.”

Tom Cruise deeply bowed to the cameras while thanking his fans, Jerry and all the supporter who were with him that evening. We will welcome him back soon and are excited to watch Top Gun Maverick on its opening day May 27th.

『Top Gun Maverick』Japanese Official Website

Global Road Show: First stop San Diego

On May 4, 2022, Tom Cruise enthralled his fans when he landed on a helicopter at the USSD deck for the exclusive screening of his film sequel Top Gun: Maverick . He will be playing the role of a fighter pilot known as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.

He was accompanied on the red carpet by his co-stars, including Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Paul Bettany, Miles Teller, and Monica Barbaro. The producer and director of the film, Joe Kosinski and Jerry Bruckheimer, were also present at the event.

Cannes: Tom Cruise Surprised with an Honorary Award

Top Gun leading star Tom Cruise arrived with his team with a blast as they jet off to Cannes for the Cannes Film Festival .

The event started with an hour-long masterclass conversation with Cruise , sharing his journey as an actor. He also talks about his love for studying the making of films that he would usually converse with the people behind the screen. “I was studying movies, not just the names in the credits, but I would try to understand who did what,” he said.

In the talk, the actor also mentioned how he is scared of his own stunts but added that it’s a choice he made to improve the art form. “Preparation is everything, even if you throw it away,” he said. “Everything I’m doing, I don’t want people to see the work behind it.”

After the meaningful masterclass, the 59-year-old actor with his co-stars walked the red carpet at Grand Théâtre Lumière while jets zoomed overhead filling the air with red, white, and blue smoke which matches the french flag.

It was a day to remember for the Top Gun actor as he also received a surprise honorary award on stage. He was awarded a Palme d’Or presented by the Canned festival director Thierry Fremaux, where he also received a standing ovation from the crowd.

“I’m going to take this all in, and I’m never going to forget this evening,” he said to end the day.

London: Tom Cruise together with Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Tom Cruise was delighted to have the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the UK red carpet event of Top Gun: Maverick.

At the UK premiere of the movie, he introduced the cast of the much-awaited sequel of his Top Gun film to Prince William and Kate alongside an actual fighter plane .

The event was held at Leicester Square on Thursday. It was hosted by Paramount Pictures and The Film and TV Charity.

During the event, the Top Gun actor told the reporters how he adores London and the common interests he shared with the Duke. “We have a lot in common. We both love England, and we’re both aviators, we both love flying,” he said.

He also shared how delighted he was to walk again on the red carpet. “I love what I do, I’ve always enjoyed it and I’m enjoying it even more now,” he said with a wide smile.

“Particularly after the last couple of years, just to have an event like this is extraordinary.”

Japan, a Special Place for Tom Cruise

After San Diego, Mexico City, Cannes, and London, Japan was the only stop-over Asian destination on Top Gun’s world tour.

Japan has always been a special place for Tom Cruise. Countless times has he visited Japan to promote some of the best block buster movies Hollywood has to offer, among them the Mission Impossible series. But the movie that stands out and symbolizes Tom’s special relationship with Japan is of course ‘The Last Samurai’ . Bill Hersey , who attended all press conferences back in 2003 had this to report: “I did get to Osaka for Warner Brothers’ first-class all-the-way press conference for Tom Cruise and the Japanese stars at the “Last Samurai”. Security was heavy at Kansai International Airport but, even so, what appeared to be about 1,000 fans showed up to welcome the superstar. Tom, as always, signed autographs for and shook hands with as many of the fans as he possibly could.

“There were about 400 media members at the conference at the ANA Hotel, a short ride from the airport. The Japanese members of the cast had taken their seats on stage and introduced themselves before Cruise, Director Edward Zwick and Executive Producer Chuck Mulvehill arrived. They included Hiroyuki Sanada, Ken Watanabe, Koyuki, Shichinosuke Nakamura, Shun Sugata, Seizo Fukumoto and Masato Harada (he’s usually a director).

Tom said he was really looking forward to working with the Japanese actors. He and the director have high hopes of “paying homage to the samurai spirit and truly portraying the elegance and beauty of Japanese culture.”

Other comments from Cruise included, “I had more physical preparation-studying karate, swordsmanship and just getting in top physical shape for this movie than any other.” He added, “This, by the way, is the first time I’ve ever done a press conference before the film.”

There were four days of shooting “The Last Samurai” in the mountains of Himeji, and one more in Kyoto at the Chiyoin Temple. Then Tom flew back to the U.S. and was back in Japan for just six hours in late October with Director Steven Spielberg to promote 20th Century Fox’s “Minority Report,” the opening film of the Tokyo International Film Festival.

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‘hell’s kitchen’, ‘the great gatsby’, ‘uncle vanya’ among strong broadway box office newcomers, ‘top gun: maverick’ celebrates one year in japanese theatrical release, becomes tom cruise’s biggest movie ever in the market.

By Nancy Tartaglione

Nancy Tartaglione

International Box Office Editor/Senior Contributor

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Talk about legs — or, more appropriately, wings: Paramount / Skydance ’s Top Gun: Maverick is still playing in Japanese cinemas a full year on from its debut. Continuing on from a stratospheric and super-leggy run, the sequel, on its 365th day of release, became Tom Cruise ’s biggest film ever in the market. In doing so, it overtook 2003’s The Last Samurai with JPY 13.71B ($101.5M) — and Maverick is still flying on local screens. It had become Paramount’s No. 1 movie of all time in Japan in August and also marks the same milestone for Skydance.

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Cruises To No. 2 In Deadline’s 2022 Most Valuable Blockbuster Tournament

During the Reiwa-era (the current era of Japan’s official calendar which began on May 1, 2019), the sequel is the biggest live-action movie for the period. It is also in the all-time Top 10 for Hollywood releases. (Paramount Pictures’ Japan Office is operated by Towa Pictures; TGM is produced by Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films).

After it was nominated for six Oscars (ultimately converting to one win for Best Sound ), TGM went back into wide release in Japan — 41 weeks after its initial bow — and continues to play. It has also been available digitally.

The current global cume is $1.496B with international representing $776.9M. The Top 5 markets through this weekend are the UK ($103.5M), Japan ($101.5M), Korea ($67.5M), Australia ($65.4M) and France ($59.8M).

Next up, Cruise-starrer Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One debuts in July.

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Tom Cruise to visit Japan for 22nd time

Actor Tom Cruise, 54, will be visiting Japan for the 22nd time in November to attend the premiere of his new action film "Jack Reacher: Never Go Back." Cruise, who was last here in the summer of 2015 for the fifth "Mission: Impossible" film, will be joined by director Edward Zwick.

Cruise is enormously popular in Japan, particularly because of his interaction with fans.

In his new film, a sequel to the 2012 film "Jack Reacher," Cruise reprises his role as the title character, a lone wolf former elite military secret agent on a quest to uncover the truth behind a major government conspiracy.

The movie will be released in Japan on Nov 11.

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27 Comments Login to comment

Moonraker Oct. 9, 2016 07:39 am JST

Wow! Who counts?

oldman_13 Oct. 9, 2016 07:47 am JST

One of the rare, genuinely good guys in the industry, always has time for his fans and appreciates them.

Consider that many Hollywood actors have never even gone to Japan once. I guess it's ok for the Japanese fans to buy the tickets and support them, but I suppose those fans aren't good enough for these celebrities to return the favor. Sad.

Gaijindesu Oct. 9, 2016 07:56 am JST

Maybe so, but he weirds me out sometimes. His involvement with Scientology and that couch jumping incident.

kwatt Oct. 9, 2016 08:30 am JST

Tom Cruise seems more business man than actor.

Silvafan Oct. 9, 2016 09:00 am JST

Agreed. I think he realizes what side his bread is buttered. He is sticking to what he feels works for him. Going to the same fan base and churning out movies with the same action plot where he is the baddest man in the room, and only he can save the day. Honestly, I think that some of his best work was non-action films or non-lead roles such as Jerry Maguire, Tropical Thunder, or his really early work.

stormcrow Oct. 9, 2016 11:04 am JST

Mr. Cool is back in Cruise control.

Sean Penn, when asked about Tom Cruise having trouble as an actor because of his religious beliefs or antics (like on the Rosie O'Donnel Show ) said (I think): "Tom Cruise is a great actor, a superstar and it's gonna be really hard to bring somebody like that down."

Go to Youtube and watch what Cruise does when a really rude British guy squirts him with water at a public event. Very cool.

Alfie Noakes Oct. 9, 2016 11:37 am JST

After watching the documentary Going Clear I'd never put another penny in this man's pocket.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Going_Clear_(film)

Thomao Oct. 9, 2016 11:59 am JST

People worship celebs faaaaaaaaaaaaaaar too intensely. If only they knew how Hollywood works in terms of what is done in order to be a star.

eejit1 Oct. 9, 2016 01:07 pm JST

Shame. I would have loved to see Ray Stevenson in the role of Jack Reacher.

smithinjapan Oct. 9, 2016 02:41 pm JST

Met him when he was here filming half of Last Samurai. He is a great guy... really disappoints when you hear about how much Scientology messed him up (I mean in the news and all). And he does really like to interact with the fans. Last time he came he rode the bullet train with fans from Tokyo to Osaka, and he doesn't shy away from people asking his autograph or what have you.

First Jack Reacher was decent. Hope this one is good, too.

Moderator Oct. 9, 2016 02:45 pm JST

Readers, Tom Cruise's religion is not relevant to this discussion.

gokai_wo_maneku Oct. 9, 2016 03:14 pm JST

I bet if he applied, he could get permanent residency here without any questions asked. Yeah Tom.

MsDelicious Oct. 9, 2016 04:04 pm JST

I would love to see him open up one of his churches here. I bet a lot of people would join.

Kobe White Bar Owner Oct. 9, 2016 05:42 pm JST

I met Tom when he was with Nichol in Covent Garden London in maybe 99, he is a really nice guy.

Kaye Yamanouchi Oct. 9, 2016 06:54 pm JST

What cinema will he attend? I want to see him.

Lori Glier Oct. 10, 2016 05:12 am JST

Congratulations on Jack Reacher #TomCruise Japan will be a great place to premiere your movie the fans are so loyal to you!

KnowBetter Oct. 10, 2016 05:35 am JST

Can't wait for the movie to come out as it looks good but not too please with the release date even though November 11 doesn't mean anything to Japan. November 11 does mean a lot to people that lost loved ones, friends and colleagues to war. Originally set for the end of the First World War and now used to remember the fallen and their sacrifices for our freedom, it is known by many different names: Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, Veterans Day and few more that have escaped my memory.

Perhaps another day would be better.

Outrider Oct. 10, 2016 10:29 am JST

I know someone who saw him in a hotel lobby in Okinawa. Cruise noticed him watching, made eye contact, smiled and came over to shake his hand and have a chat.

stormcrow Oct. 10, 2016 12:16 pm JST

Personally, I don't care what Tom Cruise believes in. What matters to me is if he's a decent person, which he genuinely seems to be, is he a nice person (yes, he is.) and is he kind to his fellow man (again, yes). What's the problem?

He should be judged by how he lives his life not by how people feel about what he believes in. It's a free country, right?

detlef langer Oct. 10, 2016 04:21 pm JST

I'm sorry but Tom Cruise simply isn't Jack Reacher. Not by a long shot.

For starters, the bulk of Jack Reacher's "Jack Reacher-ness" rides on his size and physical appearance. According to the novels (and the Wikipedia article), Jack Reacher is really big : 6'5" (196 cm) and 250 pounds (113 kg). This, together with his sheer physical strength, is emphasized in each of the novels.

On the other hand, Tom Cruise is 5'7" (170 cm) and 148 pounds (77 kg).

Second, according to the biographical bits and pieces strewn into the novels, he is ex-Army and an ex-MP. In that line of work, you get to see the more shadowy sides of human existence and tend to get physical from time to time. Over time, that shows on your face: scars, lines, a certain weariness. Plus, there is the experience of being "cycled out" due to downsizing.

Tom Cruise, however, shows nothing of all this. In fact, he appeares as if he just stepped out of the "Top Gun" or "Mission Impossible" sets.

In short: He doesn't project any "Jack Reacher-ness" at all. He projects Tom Cruise playing Tom Cruise playing Jack Reacher. And that simply won't cut it for me.

Wolfpack Oct. 11, 2016 05:25 am JST

Got to pick up that check in Tokyo eh Mr. Cruise.

inkochi Oct. 11, 2016 12:25 pm JST

Agree with posters who see Tom Cruise coming across as nice guy and so on. For me though that is his job, just like sports manager Jerry Maguire in the first part of that movie.

But that is TC's problem - he is not Jerry Maguire. At the end of the film, there is the redemption and emotional coming clean.

Anyway, unlike for Rene Zellweger's character for Jerry Maguire, TC never had me at Hello.

Bill Murphy Oct. 12, 2016 09:52 am JST

eejit1 at Oct. 09, 2016 - 01:07PM JST Shame. I would have loved to see Ray Stevenson in the role of Jack Reacher. ... ... Don't you mean Titus Pullo? Tom Cruise is typecast, but fortunately, he usually makes fan-pleasing movies. He's good at what he does. Typecasting will kill some actors.

dcog9065 Oct. 12, 2016 10:58 am JST

Not sure why they'd let him in, they'd ban other religious extremists but not Scientologists for some reason

Manticore Oct. 14, 2016 06:07 pm JST

it seems that he likes Japan

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Top gun: maverick sets a box office record for tom cruise - one year after release.

Top Gun: Maverick has set a box office record for Tom Cruise in Japan, where the 2022 action film is still playing in theaters one year after release.

Top Gun: Maverick has set yet another box office record one year after its initial release. The 2022 sequel to Top Gun sees Tom Cruise return as Captain Maverick, training Top Gun graduates for a death-defying mission. Top Gun: Maverick has been a massive success, breaking box office records and becoming the second highest-grossing film of 2022 at $1.49 billion worldwide.

Now, Deadline reports that Top Gun: Maverick has set a new box office record in Japan one year after release. The film, which is still playing in Japanese cinemas after debuting on May 27, 2022, has become the biggest Tom Cruise film in the country, earning $101.5 million in its first year of release. Top Gun: Maverick 's success in Japan overtook Cruise's previous best film in the country, 2003's The Last Samurai . Its success in Japan and worldwide could be a good sign for a potential Top Gun 3 in the future .

Why Top Gun: Maverick Became A Worldwide Success

In August, Top Gun: Maverick became Paramount's best-performing movie in Japan. This development is unsurprising given the worldwide success of the film, as Top Gun: Maverick is the No. 5 biggest film of all time at the US box office alone. With $718.7 million earned domestically, Top Gun: Maverick has cemented itself as both a domestic and international box office behemoth.

Top Gun: Maverick also boasts stellar critic and audience reviews, with many praising the film for doing something new without compromising the identity of the original. Its focus on Cruise's Maverick, his relationship with Rooster (Miles Teller), and the guilt he feels for Goose's death in the first movie makes Top Gun: Maverick feel like a meaningful sequel. Its box office success reflects just how many people enjoyed seeing Cruise's return as Maverick.

Given Top Gun: Maverick 's box office performance, it wouldn't be surprising to learn Top Gun 3 is in the works. While there is no official news of a sequel yet, Paramount is unlikely to let Cruise's latest outing as Maverick be his last. With Top Gun: Maverick still setting worldwide records, it seems Paramount may have a successful franchise on their hands.

Source: Deadline

Tom Cruise Set to Make 25th Visit to Japan in July, Unveiling New ‘Mission’

TOKYO – Tom Cruise, the iconic Hollywood superstar, is gearing up for his remarkable 25th visit to Japan next month as part of a global promotional tour for his highly anticipated film, “Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One.” This upcoming installment marks the seventh chapter in the immensely popular blockbuster series.

The 60-year-old American actor is scheduled to attend the film’s premiere in Japan, accompanied by a potential ensemble of cast and crew members, including director Christopher McQuarrie, Simon Pegg, and other select individuals involved in the production.

Expressing his excitement about the upcoming visit, Cruise stated in a news release, “I’m going to Japan in July. It’s my 25th visit to Japan, but I’m always looking forward to seeing you all.”

Cruise, whose last visit to the country was in May 2022 for “Top Gun: Maverick,” also acknowledged the overwhelming success of the film in the Japanese box office. With a cumulative box office revenue of 13.72 billion yen, it surpassed the previous record set by “The Last Samurai,” becoming the highest-grossing Tom Cruise film released in Japan.

Graciously conveying his gratitude, Cruise said, “Thank you very much for making ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ the number one film in the Japanese box office among my starring movies. I make movies for everyone, and I'm thrilled that you enjoyed it with your family and friends.”

In the latest installment of the spy-action film franchise “Mission: Impossible,” Cruise reprises his role as the unparalleled international spy, Ethan Hunt. Audiences in Japan can eagerly anticipate experiencing the exhilarating adventure on the big screen when the film hits theaters nationwide on July 21. - Florenda Corpuz

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Top Gun: Maverick sets new record for Tom Cruise in Japan

Top gun: maverick overtakes the last samurai (2003) to become cruise’s highest-grossing movie ever to premiere in japan..

The Tom Cruise-led action adventure flick has enjoyed a highly successful theatrical run. With over $1.49 billion in box office earnings, it was the second highest-grossing film last year, just right after Avatar: The Way of Water, and set the record for the highest-grossing film of Tom Cruise’s career. Now, a year after its debut, the Top Gun sequel is off making history again.

According to Deadline, the action-drama film is still showing in cinemas across Japan and has grossed $101.5 million over its impressive run.

With this figure, Top Gun: Maverick set the record for the highest-grossing film in the country for both Paramount Pictures and Tom Cruise. This is the latest in a line of records that include the biggest debut for a Cruise movie .

Top Gun: Maverick’s box office performance it as a force to be reckoned with at home and abroad as it grossed over $700 million each in both domestic and international markets.

Internationally, the film made the most money in the United Kingdom with $103.5 million. Japan comes a close second with $101.5 million. Other top international markets are Korea, Australia, and France with $67.5 million, $65.4 million, and $59.8 million respectively.

While the film’s performance is impressive, it is hardly a surprise especially since it was popular with critics. For instance, the film earned a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Also, the American Film Institute named it one of the 10 best films of 2022 and it was nominated for numerous awards, including six Oscars.

Due to its rave success, many fans hope that the film will be renewed for another sequel. Unfortunately, this might not happen. According to Bruckheimer, Cruise is very busy these days and might not be able to spare time for another sequel .

Meanwhile, Cruise’s next project, Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, will arrive in theaters on July 12. Early test screenings of the film got positive reactions from the audience , which bodes well for its box office performance.

The film will see Cruise pull off what is being touted as the “Biggest Stunt in Cinema History,” which sees him ride a bike off a cliff .

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A Sampling of Japanese Comment on "The Last Samurai"

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

What does the Japanese audience have to say about the new samurai epic, “The Last Samurai”?

By Minnie Chi

Published: Friday, January 9, 2004

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Home > Films > L > The Last Samurai

Thursday April 25th 2024

The Last Samurai | 2003

Locations |
New Zealand ;
Los Angeles , California
Edward Zwick
Tom Cruise,
Ken Watanabe,
William Atherton,
Billy Connolly,
Timothy Spall,
Tony Goldwyn,
Hiroyuki Sanada,
Scott Wilson

The Last Samurai location: Sho-sha-zan Engyo-ji Temple in Himeji City, Japan

Edward Zwick ’s account of the passing of the Bushido code with the Western opening-up of Japan is predictable, but he brings the emotional epic sweep of his previous Glory to this blending of Kagemusha and The Wild Bunch .

Katsumoto’s temple is Sho-sha-zan Engyo-ji Temple in Himeji City , about 30 miles west of Kobe. The temple is atop Mount Shosa . There’s a 20-minute bus ride from Himeji , a short cable car ride and a 15-minute (uphill) walk.

Incidentally, if you're visiting, don't miss the 17th century Himeji Castle, known as the White Heron Castle, which appears in Bond movie You Only Live Twice as well as in Akira Kurosawa ’s epics Kagemusha and Ran .

The ‘Imperial Palace’ of the emperor Meiji in ‘Tokyo’ is the 400-year-old Chion-In Temple , in Kyoto , where you can see the imposing flight of steps.

Much of the filming was in New Zealand , on the hillsides of the Uruti Valley , northern Taranaki , on the west of the North Island around 100 miles south of Auckland. The Japanese village was constructed here, with Mount Taranaki standing in for ‘Mount Fuji‘.

The port where the dissipated Nathan Algren ( Tom Cruise ) arrives in ‘Japan’ is a set built at nearby New Plymouth , and the parade ground, where the Japanese troops are trained, and where Algren invites a young recruit to shoot him, is the Pukekura Sports Ground, in Pukekura Park , New Plymouth . The ’battle in the fog’ filmed in Mangamahoe Forest , around Mangamahoe Lake, ten minutes' drive south of the city.

The restaurant, in which Nathan Algren is introduced to the Japanese gentlemen is closer to Hollywood. It’s the Moorish Room of the amazing Castle Green , 99 South Raymond Avenue, Pasadena . Check for times of guided tours. You can see more of cg in The Sting and Steve Martin comedy The Man With Two Brains , and glimpse its extraordinary exterior as 'Cuba' in Warren Beatty 's Bugsy .

There was more filming on the Warner Bros backlot in Burbank . If you want to see how the sophistication of CGI is making location spotting difficult, look at the scene set in ‘San Francisco’ at the opening, when Algren walks past the cable cars. This was filmed on the ‘New York Street’ of the Warner Bros Burbank lot, with the view of the Bay added digitally.

Visit The Film Locations

Visit: Japan

Visit: Kyoto

Kyoto Flights, International: Kansai International Airport , 1 Senshukukokita ( tel: +81.72.455.2500 )

Kyoto Flights, Domestic: Osaka International Airport , 3 Chome-555 Hotarugaike Nishimachi ( tel: +81.6.6856.6781 )

Visit: the Chion-In Temple , 400 Rinkacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-8686 ( tel: +81.75.531.2111 )

Visit: Himeji City

Visit: Sho-sha-zan Engyo-ji Temple , 2968, Shosha, Himeji, Hyogo 671-2201

New Zealand

Visit: New Zealand

Visit: Auckland

Flights: Auckland Airport , Ray Emery Drive, Auckland 2022 ( tel: 64.9.275.0789 )

Visit: New Plymouth

Visit: Pukekura Park , Fillis Street, New Plymouth 4310 ( tel: +64.6.759.6060 )

Visit: Lake Mangamahoe

California | Los Angeles

Visit: Los Angeles

Flights: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) , 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045 ( tel: 424.646.5252 )

Travelling around: Los Angeles Metro

Visit: Castle Green (occasional tours), 99 South Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105 ( tel: 626.793.0359 )

VISIT: Warner Bros VIP Studio Tour , 3400 West Riverside Drive, Burbank, CA 91522 ( tel: 877.492.8687 )

The Sydney Morning Herald

Coronavirus pandemic

This was published 1 year ago

When travelling to Japan these days it helps to be Tom Cruise

Tokyo: It may not seem like rapper Kanye West, actor Tom Cruise and the K-pop stars of Super Junior have much in common. But they do in Japan: They are among the parade of foreign entertainers who have recently entered the country amid a strict border closure.

Their high-profile appearances about town have brought into sharp focus the discrepancies in Japan’s slow reopening, as it determines which foreigners are deemed safe and which are still considered a COVID liability.

Actor Tom Cruise attends the red carpet for the Japan Premiere of “Top Gun: Maverick” at Osanbashi Yokohama in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Kenta Harada/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures) Getty

So far, certain business travellers, international students and foreign workers are accepted, but many family members of foreign residents are not. Group tours are resuming this month, but not individual tourism.

In May, entertainers from the United States and South Korea travelling on business met with hundreds of fans to promote their work with unfettered access. The same month, about 50 tourists entered on a trial run while being monitored at every move.

But this week, Japan cancelled one of those trial tours after a traveller from Thailand tested positive for the coronavirus and exposed three others. The test run was designed to prepare Japan to accept group tours from 98 countries beginning June 10.

Visitors stroll at Kaminarimon gate in the Asakusa district in Tokyo in 2021. AP

The positive test in the Thai travel group is not expected to change those reopening plans, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said.

Japan’s persistent restrictions on foreigners are out of step with not only the Group of Seven major economies, but also neighbouring countries in the Asia-Pacific region that have fully resumed restriction-free tourism amid subsiding covid cases.

The pandemic closure has remained popular domestically, but opponents have likened it to Japan’s isolationist policies from the early 1600s through the 1850s. Corporate and tourism industry executives in recent weeks have ramped up their public criticisms, calling Japan’s reopening overly cautious and detrimental to its economy and global image.

Om Prakash, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, said the country’s previous blanket ban on entry has “imposed real economic and human costs”.

“It set back efforts to revive the economy, attract international students and promote Japan as a destination for investment and tourism,” he said. “To kick-start the economy and restore Japan’s reputation as a welcoming and open place, the government should move quickly to ease remaining entry restrictions, let in more tourists and let them enjoy this amazing country freely.”

Planning to accept more tourists: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. AP

Japan’s coronavirus cases have steadily declined since the Omicron peak earlier this year. On Tuesday, there were 2362 new cases in Tokyo, a city of 14 million. With infections subsiding, the government plans to roll out measures to accept more foreigners, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Tuesday.

Kishida said certain airports will resume international flights, though he did not specify when the measures will take effect. “The resumption of inbound tourism carries great significance in that the benefits of the weak yen can be felt,” he told reporters.

On Wednesday, Japan indicated that it would accept short-term visas for more relatives and spouses of foreign residents in Japan, though details remained unclear.

Kanye West, a recent visitor. AP

Local officials are worried about foreign tourists “with bad manners” who may not follow Japan’s guidelines on mask-wearing and hand sanitising, Reuters reported this week, citing anonymous industry insiders.

There are signs of pent-up demand for tourism that would bring much-needed revenue amid the plummeting value of the yen and rising inflation.

Last week, Japan for the first time topped the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index, which rates the quality of a country’s tourism infrastructure.

Yet these world-class amenities are going largely unused, and travel-related spending from foreigners plummeted from about $US38 billion ($52 billion) in 2019 to just under $US1 billion in 2021, according to Nikkei Asia .

Tom Cruise smiles at fans upon his arrival for the Japan premiere of his film “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” in Tokyo in 2016. AP

“It’s very frustrating, to be honest,” Keiko Tashiro, deputy president of Japan’s second-largest brokerage firm, Daiwa Securities, said during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum last week. “When I travel abroad, I see all the economic activity in Europe and the US, but Japan is still very closed.”

Meanwhile, the buzzy appearances of foreign entertainers visiting Japan for red-carpet events and fan meetings have drawn scorn online from the ordinary travellers and family members unable to enter the country.

In April, K-pop group Twice sold out 150,000 seats for a concert in Japan, and Seventeen sold all 60,000 seats for fan meetings here, while actors Eddie Redmayne and Ansel Elgort attended premiere events in the country.

Huge, star-studded music festivals in Japan are underway for this summer, featuring artists such as Carly Rae Jepsen and Megan Thee Stallion.

At a recent promotional event for Top Gun: Maverick in Tokyo, actor Tom Cruise celebrated being able to finally enter the country.

“It’s very beautiful to be back and to be able to share this film with you,” Cruise said at the event.

“We’re very excited. It’s emotional . . . to be here, and to be back here, after so many years.”

Washington Post

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Tom Cruise’s 7th Spy Thriller on the big screen in July

The action man returns for the first of a two-part seventh Mission: Impossible installment, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One .

The Christopher McQuarrie-directed action thriller starring Tom Cruise is set for a global July 12 release and on July 21, 2023 in Japan.

Tracking down a mysterious, dangerous weapon before it lands in the enemy’s hands is Ethan Hunt’s (Tom Cruise) and the spy agency to which he belongs, Impossible Mission Force’s (IMF), challenge du jour. With control of the future and the fate of the world at stake, and dark forces from Ethan’s past closing in, a deadly race around the globe begins.

SUMMER SCHOOL APPLICATIONS START JUNE 2023

Judging by rave reviews from movie critics, expect this action-thriller to be just as intense as its predecessors – packed with more stunning action scenes and violence. Leave the kids at home to enjoy the film.

Esai Morales and Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning – Part One

In Japan theaters July 21.

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Tom Cruise's 'Top Gun: Maverick' Sets New Box Office Record 1 Year After Release

'Top Gun: Maverick' has raked in nearly $1.5 billion worldwide since its release last May, and is the fifth-highest-grossing film of all time in the U.S.

Scott Garfield/Paramount Pictures

Top Gun: Maverick is still breaking records a year after its release.

On Tuesday, Deadline reported that the sequel to Top Gun recently hit $101.5 million at the box office in Japan, where it is still playing in theaters, leading it to unseat 2003's The Last Samurai as the biggest Tom Cruise vehicle ever in the Asian country.

Maverick previously became Paramount Pictures' No. 1 movie ever in Japan, as well as Skydance's, and is Cruise's highest-earning film to date.

The film has raked in nearly $1.5 billion worldwide since its release last May, and is the fifth-highest-grossing film of all time in the U.S. and 12th-highest in the world.

It was nominated for six Oscars at this year's ceremony in March, taking home the award for Best Sound .

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

Top Gun: Maverick 's success still has Hollywood buzzing since its release last May. A video from the Oscars nominees luncheon on Feb. 15 showed Steven Spielberg telling Cruise, 60, that he "saved Hollywood's ass" with the film.

The director, 76, added that Cruise "might have saved theatrical distribution" entirely with the long-awaited sequel to the 1986 hit.

"Seriously, Top Gun: Maverick might have saved the entire theatrical industry," Spielberg told Cruise in the video , which was originally posted by documentarian Kartiki Gonsalves on Instagram.

The Joseph Kosinski -directed movie sees Cruise reprise his role as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell decades after the events of the original film as he's recruited back to the Top Gun facility in San Diego, to train a new team of pilots for a deadly mission.

Given the wild success of Top Gun: Maverick , fans are already hoping for another film — and some cast members are hoping the same.

Miles Teller revealed in July 2022 that he and Cruise had "been having some conversations" about the possibility of another movie .

"It's all up to Tom," said Teller, 36, who plays Lt. Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw, the son of Maverick's late best friend Goose ( Anthony Edwards in the original film).

"There's definitely been conversations [but] it's above my pay grade," their costar Glen Powell told PEOPLE in August 2022 of a potential Maverick sequel . "It's really up to Tom. It's up to [producer Jerry Bruckheimer ]. It's up to all the powers that be, but if they call me back to Miramar, I'll be there."

clock This article was published more than 1 year ago

Tom Cruise in Japan? Okay. Ordinary tourists in Japan? Not okay.

TOKYO — It may not seem like rapper Kanye West, actor Tom Cruise and the K-pop stars of Super Junior have much in common. But they do in Japan: They are among the parade of foreign entertainers who have recently entered the country amid a strict border closure.

So far, certain business travelers, international students and foreign workers are accepted, but many family members of foreign residents are not. Group tours are resuming this month, but not individual tourism.

Japan’s tiny tourism test will let in 50 foreign travelers

In May, entertainers from the United States and South Korea traveling on business met with hundreds of fans to promote their work with unfettered access. The same month, about 50 tourists entered on a trial run while being monitored at every move.

But this week, Japan canceled one of those trial tours after a traveler from Thailand tested positive for the coronavirus and exposed three others. The test run was designed to prepare Japan to accept group tours from 98 countries beginning June 10 . The positive test in the Thai travel group is not expected to change those reopening plans, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said.

Japan’s persistent restrictions on foreigners are out of step with not only the Group of Seven major economies, but also neighboring countries in the Asia-Pacific region that have fully resumed restriction-free tourism amid subsiding covid cases.

Om Prakash, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, said the country’s previous blanket ban on entry has “imposed real economic and human costs.”

Japan’s coronavirus cases have steadily declined since the peak earlier this year of the omicron variant. On Tuesday, there were 2,362 new cases in Tokyo, a city of 14 million. With infections subsiding, the government plans to roll out measures to accept more foreigners, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday.

Kishida said certain airports will resume international flights, but he did not specify when the measures will take effect. “The resumption of inbound tourism carries great significance in that the benefits of the weak yen can be felt,” he told reporters.

On Wednesday, Japan indicated that it would accept short-term visas for more relatives and spouses of foreign residents in Japan, although details remained unclear.

But many government officials remain wary that fully reopening the country could lead to a new outbreak of infections, even though there is some doubt about the effectiveness of border control measures in preventing the spread of the virus. Local officials are worried about foreign tourists “with bad manners” who may not follow Japan’s guidelines on mask-wearing and hand sanitizing, Reuters reported this week, citing anonymous industry insiders.

There are signs of pent-up demand for tourism that would bring much-needed revenue amid the plummeting value of the yen and rising inflation. Last week, Japan for the first time topped the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index, which rates the quality of a country’s tourism infrastructure.

Yet these world-class amenities are going largely unused, and travel-related spending from foreigners plummeted from about $38 billion in 2019 to just under $1 billion in 2021, according to Nikkei Asia .

How a war in Ukraine crushed the hopes of thousands of elderly Japanese

Meanwhile, the buzzy appearances of foreign entertainers visiting Japan for red-carpet events and fan meetings have drawn scorn online from the ordinary travelers and family members unable to enter the country.

In April, one K-pop group, Twice, sold out 150,000 seats for a concert in Japan, and another, Seventeen, sold all 60,000 seats for fan meetings here, while actors Eddie Redmayne and Ansel Elgort attended premiere events in the country. Huge, star-studded music festivals in Japan are underway for this summer, featuring artists such as Carly Rae Jepsen and Megan Thee Stallion.

At a recent promotional event for his new film “ Top Gun: Maverick ” in Tokyo, actor Tom Cruise celebrated being able to finally enter the country.

“It’s very beautiful to be back and to be able to share this film with you,” Cruise said. “We’re very excited. It’s emotional … to be here, and to be back here, after so many years.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by 김민규 (@mingue.k)

Watch CBS News

Tom Cruise On A 'Mission' In Tokyo

June 20, 2006 / 2:11 PM EDT / AP

Tom Cruise is back in Tokyo to promote the third and final installment of "Mission: Impossible." He returns to the role of super agent Ethan Hunt, six years after he debuted in the blockbuster series.

The movie has already been released across the globe. Japan is one of the last countries to show the movie.

In "Mission: Impossible III," Ethan has retired from active duty after falling in love with Julia (Michelle Monaghan). Ethan proposes to Julia and the couple plan on starting their life together, but his spy duties intervene and he decides to come out of retirement. Ethan's new mission requires him to face ruthless arms dealer Owen Davian (Philip Seymour Hoffman).

Owen has kidnapped new recruit Lindsey (Keri Russell), and Ethan is on a mission to save her. He assembles a team to help him with his mission: friend Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames), transportation expert Declan (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and background operative Zhen (Maggie Q).

Prior to the movie's Japanese premiere, Cruise paid a courtesy call to Japanese Transport Minister Kazuo Kitagawa to thank the ministry for its help with a special performance at the premiere.

The transport minister presented Cruise with a testimonial for his contribution in promoting the image of Japan by playing the protagonist role in "Last Samurai," released in 2003.The story of "Last Samurai" depicted the lives of warriors in late 19th-century Japan. Part of the movie was shot in Japan.

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Tom Cruise’s Jacket Stripped of Taiwanese, Japanese Patches in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Trailer

Chris lindahl.

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After the “Top Gun: Maverick” trailer dropped last week, sharp-eyed fans noticed something had changed with Tom Cruise’s titular character in the three decades since the original movie was released.

Cruise is back with his iconic leather jacket in the sequel , but the patches on the back of the bomber are slightly tweaked: Japanese and Taiwanese flags have been replaced by two symbols with similar color schemes.

The Globe and Mail’s Mark MacKinnnon in a tweet postulated that the move was meant to appease Chinese authorities.

Tencent Pictures, a division of the Chinese tech conglomerate, was a financial backer of the Paramount film. The company is co-marketing the new “Top Gun” in China — a crucial market for US studios that’s on track to become the top moviegoing country in the world.

There’s a new Top Gun movie coming out. And Maverick is wearing the same leather jacket – only this time it’s Communist Party of China-approved, so the Japanese and Taiwanese flag patches are gone (screenshot on right is from the new trailer)… pic.twitter.com/gUxFNFNUKX — Mark MacKinnon (@markmackinnon) July 19, 2019

Taiwan is a democratic self-governing island off the coast of mainland China. Beijing views Taiwan as part of China and wants to see it become part of the communist country, but many Taiwanese want independence for the capitalist island.

Meantime, China and Japan have historically enjoyed strained relations.

A representative from producer Skydance Media declined to comment.

Representatives from Paramount, Tencent Pictures, and Jerry Bruckheimer Films did not return requests for comment Monday. Neither did a representative for costume designer Marlene Stewart.

While appeasing China’s ruling Communist Party is an obvious explanation, there could be another story behind the wardrobe evolution.

Maverick’s patch in “Top Gun” is from his father’s Vietnam tour. The new patch says “85-86” and “Indian Ocean Cruise” — perhaps a reference to where some of the action took place in the 1986 original.

In the “Maverick” trailer, viewers are reminded that the pilot is a badass with his own impressive record of accomplishments, including combat medals and citations and the title of being the “only man to shoot down three enemy planes in the last forty years” — exactly the kind of guy who could teach a thing or two to the next generation of aviators.

Patches in “Top Gun” have been a running joke among real-life Navy pilots like Ward Carroll, a military journalist, Carroll said in a tweet. “Seek no meaning because there is none,” he said in response to the controversy.

“Top Gun: Maverick,” directed by Joseph Kosinski, is set for release next June.

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Tom Cruise Is a London Boy

Sometimes when God closes a door (Taylor Swift says “So long” ), She opens a window (Tom Cruise does the splits). Cruise is living that life in London, and for him that means break-dancing, doing the splits, and watching the British absolutely lose their crumpets. Cruise has lived in London since 2021 and has, in that time, been at the former queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the British Grand Prix, according to the Mercury News . And now he has attended the most British event of all: Posh Spice’s birthday party. Fortunately, he still has the American propensity to do the most. While at the party, Cruise began break-dancing and ended his routine by doing the splits, according to the Daily Mail . “People were absolutely dumbfounded,” a source mentioned. All we’ll say about that is that if there’s one thing the Mission: Impossible franchise could do to s ecure those Imax screens , it just might be a (gay?) club scene in which Cruise distracts the bad guys by jumping into the splits like a Drag Race contestant. Just an idea.

victoria beckham
so long london
david beckham
mission: complete

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Tom Cruise Was Once Considered For Iron Man, But There Was Another Superhero Movie He Also 'Flirted' With

Y ou don’t get to be an acting talent like Tom Cruise without racking up an obscene amount of “what if” stories. While we know the man as the lead of the Mission: Impossible movies , and a stunt performing daredevil extraordinaire, there were a couple times in his career that comic book movies came a calling.

And while we already know about Cruise’s potential role in the then developing Iron Man franchise, it turns out that Zack Snyder’s Watchmen was apparently another project that could have seen the star of some of the best action movies in the world playing an anti-hero.

The Watchmen Characters Tom Cruise Was Considered For

As if Zack Snyder’s bombshell about Leonardo DiCaprio being considered for the role of Lex Luthor wasn’t enough of a shock, the director’s Happy Sad Confused interview also yielded this juicy gem. And apparently, while the Rebel Moon director wanted Tom Cruise to play one role, the man behind Ethan Hunt was gunning for the polar opposite. Take a look for yourself:

I’m going to set aside the fact that, like Josh Horowitz, I consider the casting of Watchmen to be perfect. I can’t see either Jackie Earle Haley or Matthew Goode not playing Rorschach or Ozymandias at this point, but for the sake of academic curiosity, I’m going to pretend I can. With that caveat in place, I’d honestly have a hard time picking which role Tom Cruise would be better suited for.

Cruise’s Rorschach feels like it’d be a modified version of his Vincent character from Collateral , whereas Ozymandias would be a variation on his aloof killer archetype as Lestat from Interview with the Vampire . That second scenario would have been a particularly good showcase for Tom, as that character basically launches into a Watchmen ending explained monologue in the third act.

Both characters hold echoes of some of Tom Cruise's best movies. So to all of a sudden hear that Zack Snyder had met with the man to try and cast him in this epic comic adaptation has replaced Iron Man as the greater “what if” for Cruise’s potential career in comic movies. Which, after all this time, is no easy feat.

That Time Tom Cruise ‘Flirted’ With Playing Iron Man

If anyone ever wanted to know how forward thinking Tom Cruise is when it comes to movies, consider this: the man was flirting with comic book movies before the boom had truly taken off. While the ultimate reason for Cruise’s Iron Man refusal was classic Hollywood dealing, the man was circling these sorts of opportunities before they were cool.

History shook out the way it did, and Robert Downey Jr.’s iconic casting won out. That hasn’t stopped people from pondering over how a Cruise-led Iron Man could have looked. Especially since, on the Tom Cruise Continuum of Characters, Tony Stark feels like a more cavalier and grown up version of Risky Business’ Joel Goodsen.

Twice before we almost saw Tom Cruise landing a comic book movie icon on his resume; and who knows? We might just see him land that sort of role in the future, provided he wants to go down that road. The Multiverse of both DC and Marvel are vast, and there's surely someone Cruise would be down to play in the name of four paneled fun.

As it stands, the Watchmen we have at home is a sterling example of comic book adaptations done right. So should you want to revisit that movie, with or without visions of Tom Cruise participating, you can do just that. At the time of this publication, a Max subscription is all that’s required to catch up once again with those costumed heroes.

Tom Cruise Was Once Considered For Iron Man, But There Was Another Superhero Movie He Also 'Flirted' With

The Tom Cruise Role That Was Written With Tom Hanks in Mind

A tale of two Toms.

The Big Picture

Tom Cruise showed a surprisingly seasoned and thoughtful approach to his film choices in the 1990s, working with prestigious directors on risky projects.
Cameron Crowe originally wrote the role of Jerry Maguire with Tom Hanks in mind, but Hanks declined, giving Cruise the opportunity to showcase vulnerability in his performance.
Cruise's comedic vulnerability in films like Risky Business and All the Right Moves proved that he could handle romantic roles, and Jerry Maguire showcased his ability to deliver surprising and powerful moments in a rom-com setting.

Tom Cruise is most closely associated with the action genre these days due to the success of Top Gun and Mission: Impossible , but in the 1990s, it seemed like he made it a goal to work with nearly every great filmmaker on a prestige project. Between Sydney Pollack ’s The Firm , Rob Reiner ’s A Few Good Men , Neil Jordan ’s Interview with the Vampire , and Stanley Kubrick ’s Eyes Wide Shut , Cruise showed a surprising amount of discretion in the risky projects that he joined. Ironically, the role that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor was Cameron Crowe ’s Jerry Maguire , which was a mainstream success and audience favorite. The film gave Cruise some of the most endearing, iconic, and hilarious moments of his entire filmography, but it wasn’t a role that was originally written with him in mind.

Jerry Maguire

Cameron crowe wrote ‘jerry maguire’ for tom hanks.

Crowe is among the foremost directors of romantic comedies, as his films tend to go beyond simply being crowd-pleasers to say something powerful about the nature of love, and what it means to be in a relationship. While he had proven his competence within the genre with the 1989 coming-of-age dramedy Say Anything and the ensemble project Singles , Jerry Maguire was arguably his most ambitious project to date. It was the type of film that relied upon an established movie star to show vulnerability, and Crowe had his sights set on which A-Lister he wanted in the role of the titular sports agent.

In 2017, Crowe told NBC Sports that the role “was originally written with Tom Hanks in mind,” and that he “had this wonderful conversation with Tom Hanks, and people were waiting in the next room for the answer.” Crowe found that he was “high on the Tom Hanks personality charisma.” However, Hanks was busy working on his directorial effort That Thing You Do! , and could not commit to Crowe’s project. Hanks would later joke that he “would like to think, however, that Tom Cruise owes me one dollar, and I’m still waiting for the check.”

Cruise was very complimentary of Hanks , stating that “as a fan of his, I would have been very interested to see what he would have done with that character.” However, Cruise was keen to note that he put significant effort into ensuring that the role could become his own. Cruise said that he “spent nine months with Cameron going back and forth developing” the characterization of Jerry. While the work that Cruise puts into the physical stunts within his action films is evident to anyone that watches them, the efforts he took to develop such a complex character were more subtle.

'Jerry Maguire' Lets Tom Cruise Get Vulnerable

On paper, Hanks seemed like a more obvious choice for the role. While he had a newfound prestige thanks to his back-to-back Academy Award wins for Best Actor in Philadelphia and Forrest Gump , he was still at his core a comedic actor that had shown his aptitude within the rom-com genre. Romantic comedies were huge in the ‘90s, but his collaborations with Meg Ryan in the films Joe Versus the Volcano , You’ve Got Mail, and Sleepless in Seattle were among the best. However, Hanks’ refusal gave Cruise the chance to give an uncharacteristically vulnerable performance that pushed him as an actor.

Tom Cruise Inspired Christian Bale's Performance in 'American Psycho'

Tom Cruise tends to take on drama roles and isn't generally associated with comedy, but he’s proven on more than one occasion that he’s much funnier than some of his fans might expect. Outside his iconic cameos in Tropic Thunder and Austin Powers in Goldmember , Cruise showed a comedic vulnerability in his early films Risky Business and All the Right Moves . In both films, he plays a teenager who bites off more than they can chew, and they end up making a lot of ill-advised decisions for the sake of what they perceive to be true love. These films showed that Cruise was willing to make himself the butt of a joke, and didn’t have the ego that he’s sometimes associated with. However, these skills were set aside in the immediate aftermath as Cruise focused on films with a more serious edge to them .

'Jerry Maguire' Is Proof That Tom Cruise Should Do More Romantic Movies

That level of vulnerability is something Hanks has utilized throughout his career, and a reason why his romantic comedies with Ryan are so endearing to this day. It makes perfect sense why he would have been someone that Crowe had in mind, but casting Cruise forced the Mission: Impossible star to show that same romantic vulnerability that had been absent in his filmography since the late 1980s. It was a choice that ended up making Jerry Maguire more surprising. Audiences would expect to see Hanks pouring out his heart to Renée Zellweger about how he feels, but seeing Cruise do it came as a shock, making the “you complete me” moment even more powerful.

When Jerry sets forth with his ambitious mission statement regarding his intentions for his company, it feels like his breakthrough will be accepted automatically, so it’s hilarious when his speech is met with a collective shrug from his co-workers. However, seeing Cruise descend into madness as Jerry digs himself deeper by ranting (and even stealing a fish) results in one of the funniest moments in the entire film. These sorts of physical gags are something that Hanks has done all the time, but Cruise had to show a wacky side of his personality that he hadn’t accessed since his adolescent roles.

Cruise continues to push the boundaries of his physicality as recently as 2023's Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One , and he’ll be doing the same thing for the next installment. However, Cruise is also 61 years old, and can’t be doing action films forever. Perhaps choosing to go back to the romantic comedy genre for the first time since Jerry Maguire would be the best choice for Cruise to prove that, even after all these years, he’s still one of the greatest movie stars in the world.

Jerry Maguire is available to rent on Prime Video in the U.S.

Rent on Prime Video

Apr. 18, 2024

Toyota Launches All-New Land Cruiser "250" Series in Japan Sales of special edition ZX "First Edition" and VX "First Edition" limited to 8,000 units

Toyota City, Japan, April 18, 2024―Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) announced the addition of the "250" series to the Land Cruiser lineup in Japan. Alongside this, it has also released the special edition models ZX "First Edition" and VX "First Edition." These special models are limited to a total of 8,000 units.

The "250" series, the core model of the Land Cruiser lineup

The all-new "250" series was created with the role and mission of supporting people's lives by offering ease of handling based on strong off-road performance.

The development team set out to return the Land Cruiser Prado, which shifted toward high-end and luxury over time, to the light-duty model that customers have come to expect. Under the keyword "back to the basics," they defined the development concept as "The Land Cruiser: a vehicle that supports customers' daily lives and one they can trust."

The introduction of the "250" series has further clarified the position of the three Land Cruiser models. The vehicle names have also returned to their roots, with all models unified under "Land Cruiser" *1 . The Land Cruiser will continue to evolve to meet societal demands while supporting the lives of customers around the world, and remaining a vehicle they can trust.

With the same robust GA-F platform as the "300" series, the "250" series has pursued exceptional off-road performance. It is the first *2 in the Land Cruiser lineup to feature electric power steering (EPS) and Stabilizer with Disconnection Mechanism (SDM). EPS reduces kickback *3 during off-road driving, ensuring ease of handling whether on or off-road, while the SDM enables the front stabilizer state to be locked or unlocked at the touch of a button, delivering driving performance and ride comfort when off-road and handling stability when on-road.

The "250" series is available with two types of powertrains: a 2.8-liter direct injection turbo diesel engine with Direct Shift-8AT and a 2.7-liter gasoline engine with 6 Super ECT, both delivering powerful driving and environmental performance. This power is fully transferred to all four wheels by a full-time 4WD with TORSEN ®*4 LSD *5 on the center differential. The electric rear differential lock provides powerful off-road driving performance on rough roads, while the degree of freedom in front and rear driving torque distribution has been expanded to achieve even greater driving stability.

Two Land Cruiser Special Editions

The special edition ZX "First Edition" and VX "First Edition," which were designed with the spirit of returning to the origin of the Land Cruiser, are being sold to commemorate the launch of the "250" series. A total of 8,000 units will be sold.

Special Edition ZX "First Edition"

Based on the ZX grade (2.8-liter diesel engine), the model includes special equipment, such as round Bi-Beam LED headlights, matte black painted aluminum wheels, and 18-inch off-road tires to emphasize its return to its roots.

Main special equipment

Round Bi-Beam LED headlights (with auto-leveling function) +LED clearance lights (with Follow Me Home function) & LED daytime running lights
265/70R18 tires & 18x7 1/2J aluminum wheels (matte black)

Special Edition VX "First Edition"

Based on the two types of VX grade (2.8-liter diesel engine, 2.7-liter gasoline engine), it features an exclusive Sand exterior color and Dark Chestnut interior color. Toyota Safety Sense and Toyota Teammate with advanced functions are also available to further enhance safety and security equipment.

Emergency steering assist (with active steering function) + Front Cross-Traffic Alert (FCTA) + Lane Change Assist
Advanced Drive (support during traffic congestion) + Driver monitor camera

The exclusive feeling of these special editions is further emphasized by the genuine leather covers (with exclusive decorations), synthetic leather-wrapped door trim ornaments (with a "FIRST EDITION" logo), and instrument panel decorations (featuring exclusive titanium film and chrome).

For further details, please visit the following website: https://toyota.jp/info/landcruiser250/firstedition/index.html

"250" series Sales Overview

Base sales volume for japan.

2,250 units per month

KINTO availability

The "250" series is also available through the KINTO car subscription service *1 . KINTO packages include automobile insurance (optional insurance), automobile taxes, maintenance, and other car-related costs and provide them for a fixed monthly fee. All steps can be completed either online or at Toyota dealerships nationwide, from quoting to signing of the contract. Packages for the VX grade (2.7-liter gasoline) start at 50,710 per month (including tax) *2 .

For further details, please visit the following website: https://kinto-jp.com/kinto_one/lineup/toyota/landcruiser250/

Customized parts released by JAOS and Toy-Factory *3 Dealer-installed options that expand the joy of customization

To support customers customize their Land Cruisers into their own unique vehicles, they can now choose interior and exterior items from both JAOS and Toy-Factory brands *3 in addition to Toyota genuine parts and MODELLISTA parts.

For further details, please visit the following website: https://toyota.jp/info/landcruiser250/250customstyle/

"250" series Production Plants

Tahara Plant, Toyota Motor Corporation Hamura Plant, Hino Motors, Ltd.

"250" series Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices

Diesel engine model, gasoline engine model, land cruiser special edition manufacturer's suggested retail prices, "250" series vehicle overview, excellent basic performance as an off-roader through adoption of the ga-f platform.

With the same GA-F platform as the "300" series, the "250" series offers both off-road performance and ease of handling, including on-road driving, as a reliable and practical choice for customers.

GA-F platform with a ladder frame structure

The ladder frame uses the latest non-linear tailor welded blank (TWB) welding technology and ultra-high tensile strength steel plates in the right places, helping to achieve not only the necessary body rigidity, but also improved strength and weight reduction
50% increase in frame rigidity and 30% increase in overall rigidity *1

Newly developed suspension

High-mount double wishbone (front) and trailing link axle (rear) suspensions have been used for optimized front and rear suspension geometry
Improved wheel articulation, which is an indicator of off-road performance that describes the ability of a tire to stay on the ground

Improved on- and off-road driving performance through adoption of the following systems

Electric power steering (EPS) Contributes to reduced loss of steering control due to kickback, provides a crisper steering feel, improves maneuverability at low speeds, achieving ease of maneuvering and handling
Stabilizer with Disconnection Mechanism (SDM) A switch-operated function that enables the front stabilizer state to be changed *2 , delivering driving performance and ride comfort when off-road and handling stability when on-road

Off-road driving support through Multi-Terrain Select and Multi-Terrain Monitor

Multi-Terrain Select Off-road driving support can be selected from six modes depending on the road surface; can also be operated in high range (H4) for use in even more off-road driving situations
Multi-Terrain Monitor Four cameras are used to help the driver see around the vehicle when Multi-Terrain Select is in operation. In addition to Underfloor View / Underfloor View (rear wheels), which can be enabled with the press of an on-screen button when the vehicle is stopped while the screen is displaying images from the front-facing camera, a Back Underfloor View (a Toyota first *3 ), which displays a magnified image of the area around the rear wheels when backing up, is also available.

Full-time 4WD (Transfer with Torsen ® LSD) for robust driving performance

TORSEN ® LSD is used in the center differential to optimally control the front and rear torque distribution in response to road and driving conditions, realizing even better driving stability

Two types of powertrains to achieve powerful driving and environmental performance worthy of a Land Cruiser

The "250" series inherits the mission of supporting the lives and livelihoods of people everywhere while pursuing the reliability, durability, and off-road performance that is the DNA of the Land Cruiser. It comes with two types of powertrains to achieve powerful driving and environmental performance worthy of a Land Cruiser.

2.8-liter direct injection turbo diesel engine + Direct Shift-8AT

Pursues ease of handling both on- and off-road. Maximum torque of 500 N･m (51 kgf･m) is generated at low engine speeds of 1,600 to 2,800 rpm to achieve fun, torquey driving from low rpm
Fuel efficiency of 11.0 km/L *4 in WLTC mode has been achieved with DPR *5 and SCR *6 systems, significantly reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and making the "250" series compliant with 2018 emission standards.

2.7-liter gasoline engine + 6 Super ECT

The combination of a naturally aspirated engine, with maximum output of 120 kW (163 PS) and maximum torque of 246 N･m (25.1 kgf･m), with 6 Super ECT maintains smooth acceleration while pursuing both smoothness in everyday situations such as takeoff and low-speed driving as well as high vehicle speed controllability on downhill slopes.
Fuel efficiency of 7.5 km/L *4 in WLTC mode has been achieved through the use of Dual VVT-I (continuously variable valve timing system for intake and exhaust) and a high compression ratio.

Interior and exterior styling that fuses traditional and modern in a functional package

The "250" series adopts the traditional wheelbase of 2,850 mm from the Land Cruiser "80" series with a body size of 4,925 mm *7 in length and 1,980 mm *8 in width. This ensures a ground clearance angle *9 appropriate for an off-roader pursuing off-road performance while keeping the practical total width, including door mirrors, at 2,115 mm (measured in-house) *10 for ease of handling.

Available in three-row, seven-passenger and two-row, five-passenger models

The position of the driver's seat has been moved back while the positions of the second-and third-row seats have been adjusted to ensure a wider front/rear couple distance of 951 mm *11

Offers 408 liters *12 of luggage space even during a 6:4 split second-row seat

A large luggage space that can be used based on the shape and size of luggage has been achieved through the use of a 5:5 split floor storage third row seat *13 that can be automatically stored at the touch of a button and a glass hatch *14 that allows for luggage to be loaded and unloaded without opening the rear hatch door.

In a fusion of traditional and modern, the interior and exterior styling on the "250" series focuses on three keywords: "reliable" (reliability to withstand harsh usage conditions), "timeless" (timeless simplicity to remain a favorite), and "professional" (refined functional beauty common to lean professional tools). With the durability of parts and easy repairs in the event of breakages, the design also takes customizability into account to allow users to enjoy their Land Cruiser in their own unique ways based on the actual off-road experiences of the designers themselves.

Cabin backward proportions, a characteristic of past Land Cruiser generations where the cabin is positioned backward in relation to the axles, have been adopted
The side view embodies the Land Cruiser's off-road functionality. The horizontal beltline has been cranked down to a low level, allowing the driver to easily look down on the road surface even when off-roading. The lower part of the side door panels, and the lower part of the front and rear bumpers were cut down to avoid collisions with rocks and other objects, also creating a sense of lightness.
The front view fully integrates all functional parts to emphasize its sharp design. The functional beauty of past Land Cruiser generations has been pursued in the lights, which are positioned high and centered to avoid damage when driving off-road, and in the split bumper, which allows for replacement only at the corners where damage is most likely to occur.
A total of six body colors are available, including five monotone colors such as Avant Garde Bronze Metallic and Smoky Blue, and the two-toned color combination of the newly developed Sand color with a Light Gray roof.

The cabin space has been designed to provide occupants with both a sense of security as well as the high level of functionality typical of a practical off-roader. A horizontal instrument panel has been adopted to allow the driver to easily track the vehicle's posture even when riding off-road, while the low shape reduces the oppressive feeling for occupants. The shape of the upper part of the door trim that extends to the instrument panel also encloses occupants in a sturdy manner to create a sense of safety and security.
The upright A-pillar reduces diagonal forward blind spots, while a low-set cowl and top part of the instrument panel achieve good forward visibility, supporting safe off-road driving
Innovations based on off-road driving experience have been implemented, such as having switches that are centrally located while being differentiated in their shape and method of operation by function. This layout makes it easier to concentrate on driving even in harsh off-road environments.
Two interior colors offer the world view of the Land Cruiser: Dark Chestnut, expressing the strong space typical of a practical off-roader, and Black, which creates a hard, sharp space.

Latest safety and security features such as Toyota Safety Sense and Toyota Teammate

Toyota Safety Sense, the latest active safety package with advanced and improved functions, is standard on all new "250" series grades. The range of detectable accidents has been expanded even further, enabling enjoyable driving with peace of mind.

Pre-collision Safety System This system expands the range of detection, adding motorcyclists (daytime) to other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists to help avoid collisions or reduce damage. It provides additional support at intersections where accidents more frequently occur.
Proactive Driving Assist This system subtly assists drivers when driving on ordinary roads and in other situations. It supports avoidance steering and deceleration to avoid getting too close to pedestrians, cyclists, and parked vehicles by anticipating risks according to the driving situation, such as pedestrians crossing the road or vehicles that may suddenly start moving.

The "250" series comes with Advanced Drive (support during traffic congestion), a function in the suite of advanced driving support technologies within Toyota Teammate. This system operates under certain conditions, such as the driver facing forward, when driving on motor-vehicle-only roadways, and when Radar Cruise Control and Lane Tracing Assist are activated in traffic congestion (0-40 km/h). Supporting detection, judgment, and operation *15 , it helps reduce driver fatigue in traffic congestion and enables the driver to pay closer attention to the surroundings to achieve safe driving.

Equipped with front and rear dash cams. Video captured by the Toyota Safety Sense's monocular camera and the newly added rear-facing camera while driving is recorded to built-in memory. Video data can be played back on the Display Audio system or transferred to a smartphone or USB memory device for portability.

Link to the 'Land Cruiser "250" Series' webpage (Japanese only)

Land Cruiser "250" Series TOP

Land Cruiser Special Edition

Toyota Motor Corporation works to develop and manufacture innovative, safe and high-quality products and services that create happiness by providing mobility for all. We believe that true achievement comes from supporting our customers, partners, employees, and the communities in which we operate. Since our founding over 80 years ago in 1937, we have applied our Guiding Principles in pursuit of a safer, greener and more inclusive society. Today, as we transform into a mobility company developing connected, automated, shared and electrified technologies, we also remain true to our Guiding Principles and many of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to help realize an ever-better world, where everyone is free to move.

SDGs goals that this project makes particular contribution to

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Land cruiser "250" series.