MOVIE NEWS – Hollywood legend Tom Cruise has cemented his status as one of the industry’s most captivating action stars, boasting a career filled with blockbuster hits and unforgettable performances. Back in 1996, he wowed audiences by stepping into the role of Ethan Hunt, the fearless IMF agent, in Mission: Impossible, setting the stage for one of the most enduring action franchises in cinema history.
Cruise’s Mission: Impossible 2, released in 2000, marked a turning point as it claimed the top spot at the global box office, grossing an impressive $546 million. Despite a string of successful movies like Collateral, War of the Worlds, and Top Gun: Maverick, Cruise has not replicated this exact milestone in the 24 years since that high-flying sequel.
The journey began with the 1996 film Mission: Impossible, where Cruise’s portrayal of Ethan Hunt captured global attention. The Impossible Missions Force agent showcased his prowess in tackling deadly challenges with a loyal team, including tech genius Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) and field technician Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg). The franchise’s origin as a reimagining of the 1966 TV series brought thrilling stunts and intense drama to the big screen, making it a box-office sensation with $457 million in earnings.
Mission: Impossible 2 Steals the Spotlight in 2000
Building on the original’s success, Cruise reprised his role in Mission: Impossible 2 in 2000. This time, Hunt joins forces with master thief Nyah Nordoff-Hall (Thandiwe Newton) to stop a rogue IMF agent, Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott), from unleashing a catastrophic bioweapon. Cruise, known for his dedication to performing his own stunts, insisted on executing a daring free-solo climbing scene filmed at Dead Horse Point State Park, using only minimal safety gear.
Despite tough competition from films like Gladiator, Cast Away, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Mission: Impossible 2 emerged as the year’s highest-grossing movie, earning $546.3 million. Critics had mixed reactions, citing an overemphasis on style, but the sequel’s commercial dominance further solidified Cruise’s reputation as an action icon.
Top Gun: Maverick Brings Cruise Close to His Past Glory
Tom Cruise has proven himself a versatile performer, excelling in both dramatic and comedic roles. His rise to fame in the 1980s was fueled by hits such as The Outsiders, Risky Business, Top Gun, and Rain Man. The following decade saw him starring in iconic films like A Few Good Men, Interview with the Vampire, and Jerry Maguire.
Cruise has remained a formidable Hollywood figure with accolades including four Golden Globes and multiple Oscar nominations. Outside of Mission: Impossible, he shined in titles like Minority Report, Edge of Tomorrow, and War of the Worlds. His return as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in Top Gun: Maverick brought him near his 2000 triumph.
The sequel to the 1986 classic earned six Academy Award nominations, including a win, and $1.496 billion at the box office. However, it fell short of surpassing James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water, which grossed $2.32 billion.
Source: MovieWeb
