In a September 2025 interview with the New York Times, filmmaker Cameron Crowe let the magazine in on an interesting statement he once witnessed an iconic director make about what he thinks will be the long-term impact of Tom Cruise’s career.
Crowe revealed he was at a dinner party when he heard Clint Eastwood, revered for directing hit Western films such as “The Outlaw Josey Wales” and “Unforgiven,” name the “Top Gun” star as the actor most likely to be viewed as “a legend” a hundred years from now. Read on for details.
Clint Eastwood’s Praise for Tom Cruise
Relaying the story to the New York Times, Crowe said, “I have the same lawyer as Clint Eastwood, and he invited me to a dinner party. He sat me next to Clint Eastwood, and I was so nervous.” The “Almost Famous” writer recounted how Eastwood leaned over and brought up the topic of Tom Cruise.
Crowe says he told Eastwood, “Oh man, Tom Cruise. I love working with Tom Cruise.” The action star famously portrayed a dashing playboy who must grapple with the aftermath of disfiguring his face in a crash in Crowe’s 2001 sci-fi thriller “Vanilla Skye,” in which he shared the screen with Penelope Cruz.
GettyCrowe says Eastwood predicted, “In a hundred years, they’re gonna look back. That’s the career. Tom Cruise’s career.”
Tom Cruise Almost Starred In ‘A Star Is Born’ Remake
According to the Guardian, Clint Eastwood was in talks to direct a remake of “A Star Is Born” around 2012, before Bradley Cooper ultimately took over the project and released his version in 2018.
The outlet reported at the time that Eastwood was hoping to cast Tom Cruise as the lead, and was eyeing none other than Beyoncé to star across from him. The story says the “Halo” singer initially backed away from the project due to delays, but agreed to sign on once she learned Eastwood would be attached.
Producer Bill Gerber revealed Eastwood and Beyoncé even traveled for a face-to-face meeting to discuss the project. But he says the plans fell apart due to “the movie business.” He explained, “Time happened. Beyonce got pregnant, and then Clint went off and did another movie. At the time I thought, ‘I’m going to be able to make a movie with my old dear friend,’ not old, my young dear friend, and I was so excited about it.”
After the missed opportunity with “A Star Is Born,” Eastwood has still never directed Cruise in a film.
