Tom Cruise’s Dedication and Professionalism on Set
Tom Cruise, one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, has always been known for his commitment to his craft. His co-star in the 1990 action/sport film Days of Thunder, Cary Elwes, recently shared some fascinating insights into Cruise’s work ethic during the filming of the movie.
Elwes, who is also 63, recalled that Cruise was so dedicated to his role as a race car driver that he performed many of his own stunts. The two actors met on set, and it was here that Cruise first met his ex-wife, Nicole Kidman. Their relationship blossomed on set, leading to their marriage in 1990. They eventually divorced in 2001 after adopting two children, Isabella and Connor.
During an interview with Entertainment Tonight (ET), Elwes shared a memorable moment from the first day of filming. He revealed that Cruise crashed his car into a wall, and before the impact, his last words were, “Hello, wall.” Elwes described the incident as both funny and impressive, noting that such stunts are not cheap.
Beyond the physical challenges, Elwes praised Cruise’s professionalism. He described him as a “terrific guy” who is “so fun to work with, so professional, and so supportive of everybody.”
Stunt Work and Fearless Approach
Cruise is no stranger to performing his own stunts, and he has often spoken about his approach to fear. In a recent appearance at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, he shared his philosophy: “The secret to performing all my own stunts is that I feel ‘no fear.’ How do I feel about fear? Oh that’s exciting. I like the feeling. It’s not paralyzing; it doesn’t bother me. I enjoy it.”
He added, “In any endeavor, people can be afraid, but I don’t mind confronting it and going in. I wanted an interesting life that’s very dynamic.”
Cruise famously shattered his ankle while leaping between two skyscrapers during the filming of Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018). However, this did not deter him from taking on even more challenging stunts.
Challenging Stunts and Creative Direction
In an interview with The Project, Cruise revealed that the trickiest stunt he had ever attempted was in Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning (2023). The scene involved him being submerged in a water tank that would turn on command, mimicking a sinking submarine.
When asked if it was one of the hardest stunt sequences he had ever done, Cruise responded, “Without a question.”
Elwes also shared some unique details about the filming process. He mentioned that he learned how to drive NASCAR for the movie. According to Elwes, director Tony Scott gave him specific instructions that were quite unusual.
“Tony Scott came up to me on my first day and said, ‘Okay, here’s what you need to do when you get up to speed. I want you to take the wheel with your knees, then flip on each of the cameras, grab the wheel again, and when they’re switched on, take the wheel with your knees again, and then clap each camera.’”
Elwes initially thought Scott was joking, but he quickly realized the director was serious. Despite the bizarre instructions, Elwes followed them and found the experience to be “great fun.”
A Unique Experience on Set
Elwes admitted that the entire process was “nuts,” but he ultimately enjoyed the challenge. He described the set as a place where they “had such a great time.”
The film Days of Thunder also featured other notable actors, including Nicole Kidman, Don Simpson, Michael Rooker, John C. Reilly, and Randy Quaid. The movie remains a testament to Cruise’s dedication and passion for his work.
