When Cameron Crowe didn’t believe in Tom Cruise
Despite starring in successful films like Outsiders (1983), Legend (1985), Rain Man (1988), and Top Gun (1986), some directors still doubted Tom Cruise’s abilities. One such director was Cameron Crowe, who didn’t initially want Cruise in his film Jerry Maguire.
Tom Cruise saved the movie… for free
Crowe had envisioned Tom Hanks for the role of Jerry Maguire, but Hanks declined. Reluctantly, Crowe considered Cruise, although he had concerns about Cruise’s dominant nature. However, to prove Crowe wrong, Cruise agreed to shoot the film for free.
When Jerry Maguire was released in 1996, it became a massive hit, grossing $273 million at the box office. Crowe credits Cruise for part of the film’s success, as Cruise took charge of the promotion when the movie started losing momentum. Impressed by the success, Crowe offered Cruise another role in Vanilla Sky, where he delivered another outstanding performance.
