“It was different”: Tom Cruise Wasn’t Supremely Confident About His 1 Movie Despite His Enduring Legacy of Conquering Hollywood
Tom Cruise is known for his relentless work ethic and supreme confidence in tackling big, daring blockbusters throughout his decades-long career. But even the consummate movie star, who continuously raises the bar with jaw-dropping stunts and performances, once admitted to feeling doubt and uncertainty early on when making the 2003 epic drama The Last Samurai.
Stepping far outside his action hero comfort zone, Cruise took on the role of a former US cavalry captain who became absorbed into a samurai clan during 19th century Japan. The film, directed by Edward Zwick, marked a stark departure for Cruise from his more familiar contemporary thrillers and modern action movies. The complex period piece’s sweeping scope and elaborate demands initially gave the seasoned actor a rare pause.
Did Tom Cruise Initially Struggle With The Last Samurai‘s Scope?
Though Cruise has cultivated a reputation as an intensely dedicated performer who lives for risky stunt work and grueling productions, moving into unfamiliar territory with The Last Samurai’s period setting and martial arts action thrust him into uncharted waters. According to Slash Films, though Tom Cruise is Hollywood royalty today, he confessed uncertainty taking on the sweeping period epic early in production.
“It was different in that it took me almost a year to physically be able to make this picture,” Cruise told Female.com in 2003.
Learning sword fighting and Japanese culture proved a major challenge even for the intensely dedicated star.
“I needed that kind of time to absorb the film and to work with [the director and writer],” Cruise explained. “I enjoyed it.”
For an actor accustomed to modern action movies, the elaborate costumes, sets, and fight training of The Last Samurai thrust Cruise into unfamiliar territory. It marked a real test even for the consummate pro.
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Did Doubt Fuel Tom Cruise to Work Harder?
Though stepping outside his comfort zone was intimidating, it ultimately pushed Cruise to fully immerse himself in this passion project.
“I love and take great pride in what I do; so I can’t [just] be involved in something, I go all the way,” he remarked.
Cruise has built his career on doing many of his own stunts and adamantly avoiding half-measures. So any flicker of uncertainty likely just drove him to work even harder to master the complex samurai skills required.
His total commitment paid off, as Cruise turned in a soulful, against-type performance that even scored Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations. Out of that initial doubt emerged a fully formed character that anchored the film.
Tom Cruise Continues Conquering New Territory
Nearly 20 years since The Last Samurai, Cruise has shown no hesitation in taking risks, including 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick.
At 61, he performs ever-more-perilous stunts and pushes his limits to thrill audiences. That once-unfamiliar samurai role now seems like just one early sign of Cruise’s willingness to venture outside his comfort zone.
Though he briefly doubted his ability to pull off The Last Samurai, that film only set the stage for the actor to continuously redefine what a movie star can accomplish.
