MOVIE NEWS – He’s often called the last true movie star, even hailed as the savior of cinema during the pandemic, but Oscar-winner Kenneth Branagh believes Tom Cruise still doesn’t get the recognition he deserves as an actor.

Branagh, who starred alongside the American icon in Valkyrie, told The Times of London that most people see Cruise as the face of action franchises like Mission: Impossible and Top Gun, and would likely be surprised to discover his true range and acting depth.

One likely reason for this interview is that Cruise was recently selected as a member of the British Film Institute (BFI), an honor reserved for only the most influential figures in cinema. He earned this recognition in part for bringing numerous major productions to the UK over the past four decades, shooting on British soil, employing local crews, and spending hundreds of millions of dollars in the process.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail speculates that Cruise, who spends most of the year in London and proudly considers himself an Anglophile, could be in line for a knighthood following his BFI induction. Beyond his professional contributions, his close friendship with Prince William and Princess Catherine, who frequently attend his premieres, might carry extra weight in such considerations.

A potential knighthood for Cruise wouldn’t be without precedent: Angelina Jolie was named a Dame, while both the Gates couple and former U.S. President George W. Bush have also received honorary titles. Adding to Cruise’s British charm is the fact that he reportedly speaks flawless cockney and enjoys relaxing in local English pubs.

For now, Tom Cruise returns to his action roots in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which is expected to break several box office records and conclude the $4.14 billion franchise with a bang.

(Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning – release date: May 22, 2025.)