Stephen Spielberg’s bitter 20-year feud with Tom Cruise has resurfaced after the director buried the hatchet with the actor over the hit Top Gun: Maverick.
Spielberg, 76, and Cruise, 60, were seen hugging on the red carpet with the Indiana Jones director saying: “You saved Hollywood’s ass and you could have saved movie distribution.”
Modest Cruise is seen smiling and shaking his head as he received compliments from his fellow film icon on board at the Oscars luncheon on February 14.
But the pair haven’t always had such a happy relationship: Their terms soured after working together on War of the Worlds in 2005 and Minority Report in 2002.
Cruise, who discovered the Church of Scientology around the same time he was supposed to promote the movie, also drew some unwanted attention for his whirlwind romance with Katie Holmes.
Spielberg, 76, and Cruise, 60, were seen hugging on the red carpet last week after a 20-year separation.
Indiana Jones director Spielberg latched on to Cruise, saying, “You saved Hollywood’s ass.” and, you could have saved the theatrical distribution’
It led to Spielberg and Cruise being estranged for 20 years, and the relationship seemed to heat up after their effusive interaction was caught on camera last week.
The break in their relationship began after Cruise’s “enthusiasm” for Holmes and Scientology took over the press tour.
During an appearance on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show in May 2005, she was supposed to be promoting The War of the Worlds.
But instead, the Mission Impossible star jumped on her couch to proclaim her love for Holmes shortly after their relationship began.
The crowd at Chicago’s Harpo Studios had exalted themselves into a frenzy of ecstasy, screaming before Cruise came out.
He hugged Winfrey as he took the stage and seemed to be full of energy as he kept jumping out of his seat.
The presenter asked him how it felt to attend an event with Holmes, to which he declared “I’m in love.”
She asks a few times about the movie, but Cruise just kept jumping and laughing with Winfrey saying ‘you’re gone’.
Modest Cruise is seen smiling and shaking his head as he received praise from his fellow movie icon on board at the Oscars luncheon.
Spielberg praised Cruise’s performance in Top Gun: Maverick and gushed about the actor at his public meeting.
During an appearance on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show in May 2005, he was supposed to be promoting The War of the Worlds, but in now-iconic scenes, he jumped on her couch to declare his love for Katie Holmes.
The presenter asked him how it felt to attend an event with Holmes, to which he declared “I’m in love.”
He then says, “Yeah, we’re talking about the War of the Worlds” as he stands up to shake Winfrey, who seems shocked by his behavior.
Little talk was had about the film, which still did well when it hit theaters, and remains one of the most thought-provoking sci-fi movies of all time, earning $603 million at the worldwide box office.
That incident put their relationship under strain, with Cruise later escalating his blunders when he punched his friend Brooke Shields.
He said she was ‘irresponsible’ for using antidepressants to treat her postpartum depression.
Cruise, who is a leading member of Scientology, opposes psychiatric therapy and the church’s use of psychiatric medications.
The actor became visibly combative after being questioned about the criticism by then-Today host Matt Lauer, calling psychiatry a pseudoscience.
Cruise launched into a drug rant, telling Today host Matt Lauer: “You don’t even know what Ritalin is.”
Cruise said her friend Brooke Shields was ‘irresponsible’ for using antidepressants to treat her postpartum depression
Spielberg was also reportedly “living” about the Ritalin tirade because he knew children the drug helped. In the photo: Holmes and Cruise in 2005 at the premiere of WOTW
Cruise, who is a leading member of Scientology, opposes psychiatric therapy and the use of psychiatric medications because of the church.
He also accused Lauer of being “simplistic” when the host mentioned that he knew Ritalin worked.
Cruise then launched into a drug rant, telling Lauer, “You don’t even know what Ritalin is.”
This led Spielberg to believe that Cruise’s antics had overshadowed the opening and cost the film $30 million at the box office, according to Kim Masters on her radio show, ‘The Business.’
She said: ‘There was a lot of negative publicity. I’m not sure how you calculate that.
Spielberg was also reportedly “living” about the Ritalin tirade because he knew children the drug helped.
She then “naively” tried to talk to the star about a doctor putting her on Ritalin, with teachers describing it as the moment she “really broke the bond” between the couple.
The doctor was a friend of Spielberg’s, and shortly after the conversation, Scientologists protested against his office.
Spielberg “naively” tried to talk to the star about a doctor putting him on Ritalin, with teachers describing it as the moment he “really broke the bond” between the couple.
Cruise and Spielberg haven’t always had such a happy relationship: Their terms soured after working together on War of the Worlds in 2005 and Minority Report in 2002.
Cruise denied having anything to do with the incident, but it caused more tension between the director and the actor.
It also upset Kate Capshaw, Spielberg’s wife, with Masters adding: “It seems that for a while, the Spielbergs waited in vain for the star to explain how, exactly, those protesters showed up at the doctor’s office.”
The Mission Impossible actor became known for his devotion to Scientology and divorced Holmes in 2012 after six years of marriage and welcoming daughter Suri.
Many attributed the breakup to Cruise’s obsession with Scientology, with Katie winning her daughter’s custody battle.
She filed for divorce out of fear that Cruse would kidnap Suri into Scientology, which is something she didn’t want.
Despite the successes of both films that earned them millions, the couple never worked together again, but it seems that they reconciled at the Oscars with the affection of the public.
Masters believes that Spielberg would have genuine reasons to appreciate Cruise and his drive to get Top Gun: Maverick out in theaters.
Many attribute the breakup to Cruise’s obsession with Scientology, with Katie winning her daughter’s custody battle.
The Mission Impossible actor became known for his devotion to Scientology and divorced Holmes in 2012 after six years of marriage and welcoming daughter Suri.
The Business show said the pair acted as “best friends forever” after Cruise regained the public’s respect after the Top Gun sequel was a huge success.
Spielberg is nominated for best director for his autobiographical film, ‘The Fabelmans,’ which is also nominated for best picture.
Masters believes that Spielberg would have genuine reasons to appreciate Cruise and his drive to get Top Gun: Maverick out in theaters. ‘
She said: “If there’s one thing Tom Cruise could do to endear himself to Steven Spielberg, it’s save theaters.” Spielberg, as we know, feels like many auteur directors, that theaters are essential to properly appreciate films.’
