Unraveling the Decline of Tom Cruise’s Hollywood Image

Tom Cruise had a meteoric rise to fame after his iconic appearance in the 1983 film “Risky Business,” which catapulted him to stardom as a heartthrob. Over the years, he has delivered numerous box office hits, cementing his status as a top global star. Nevertheless, his image has tarnished significantly, transforming from Hollywood’s sweetheart to a controversial figure.

As tabloids gained popularity, celebrities became known not only for their acting skills but also for their personal lives. Unlike many stars, Cruise found himself the target of mockery, with his life becoming a source of tabloid fodder, complete with whispers of scandals and gossip that overshadowed his achievements.

Every controversy surrounding Cruise feels like a never-ending drama, inviting a barrage of rumors and bizarre interviews. His connection to Scientology has particularly influenced his public persona, affecting both his love life and professional relationships. Despite this, Cruise still captivates audiences, as seen by the phenomenal success of the “Mission Impossible” series. However, with instances like a notable car ban and increasing critiques from fellow celebrities, there are clear signs that his standing in Hollywood is not what it used to be.

Being an A-list star often comes with extravagant perks, including free luxury items from top brands eager to court celebrities. Yet, the fact that Tom Cruise has reportedly been banned from purchasing Bugatti cars is telling. Once a favored customer of the French luxury car brand, Cruise is now on their blacklist.

The automobile company, which typically boasts high-profile clients like Jay-Z and Cristiano Ronaldo, is irritated with Cruise over an embarrassing incident at the “Mission Impossible 3” premiere in 2005. Cruise arrived at the event in a Bugatti Veyron and took an unusually long 40 seconds to get the door open, leading to ridicule from onlookers. Bugatti felt that this mishap tarnished their brand’s reputation as a symbol of flawless engineering. He is not alone, as other celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber have also faced luxury car bans for various offenses.

Despite having a loyal fan base, Tom Cruise’s relationship with other celebrities is less rosy. He consistently puts in the effort to connect with fans and is known for his enthusiastic presence on red carpets. He often arrives well before events to engage with attendees and happily poses for pictures.

However, many of his peers express open disdain for him. Leah Remini stands out as a vocal critic since her departure from Scientology. Brooke Shields has also made headlines for challenging Cruise’s views on mental health, especially after he commented on her struggles with postpartum depression in a controversial interview.

Furthermore, Mickey Rourke has publicly dismissed Cruise as “irrelevant,” and Thandie Newton described her experiences working with him as challenging, noting his intense personality and dominant presence. These comments illustrate a growing distance between Cruise and fellow stars, adding to the evidence of his fading reputation in Hollywood.

Throughout his 40 years in Hollywood, Tom Cruise has enjoyed relatively few missteps. With such a successful career, one might expect directors to vie for a chance to work with him. While he has a history of collaborating with legendary filmmakers like Martin Scorsese and Stanley Kubrick, the number of directors eager to sign him has significantly declined.

Some attribute this to Cruise’s controversial reputation. For instance, Steven Spielberg was reportedly upset with Cruise’s antics around the 2005 release of “War of the Worlds,” with accusations that Cruise’s behavior cost the film significant box office revenue. Although they have reconciled, a collaboration seems unlikely.

Add to this the challenges Cruise faced with Stanley Kubrick, who found working with him difficult during “Eyes Wide Shut.” Kubrick’s acquaintance suggested that Cruise’s assertiveness during production led to creative tension.

Many film industry insiders suggest that Tom Cruise’s reputation has diminished as he overwhelmingly stars in action films. Once recognized for his dramatic performances in movies like “Jerry Maguire,” his recent roles are predominantly filled with high-octane stunts and action sequences. Since 2012’s “Rock of Ages,” he has focused primarily on franchises like “Mission Impossible” and “Jack Reacher.”

This shift occurred following the infamous 2005 incident on Oprah’s show, which drew public scrutiny. Despite this, Cruise’s box office appeal remains intact, as evidenced by the massive success of “Top Gun: Maverick,” which earned nearly $1.5 billion globally.

Looking ahead, Cruise may return to diverse roles, as Warner Bros. revealed plans to collaborate with him on new original films starting in 2024.

Paramount learned that trying to sideline Tom Cruise isn’t a viable strategy. Facing financial setbacks, the studio attempted to shift the release of “Mission Impossible” to their streaming service earlier than planned. However, Cruise swiftly opposed this decision, leading to legal discussions.

The negotiation resulted in a temporary agreement to hold off changes until the film’s completion. Additionally, they clashed over developing a series based on “Days of Thunder” and budget constraints, with Cruise holding considerable influence in these discussions.