LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tom Cruise is embarking on a new venture to support the movie theater industry. The actor, famous for his role in “Top Gun,” has teamed up with Warner Bros. Discovery to develop and produce original and franchise theatrical films, according to a joint statement released on Tuesday.
While the announcement did not specify any projects in detail, Cruise expressed his excitement on Instagram, stating, “I look forward to making great movies together!” Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group co-chairs and CEOs Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy also shared their enthusiasm, calling Cruise an “absolute legend in the film industry” and expressing their vision to revive the iconic studio.
The partnership with Cruise comes as Warner Bros. Discovery continues its efforts to rebuild the studio and bring Warner Bros. back to its former glory days. David Zaslav, CEO and president of Warner Bros. Discovery, played a key role in encouraging the collaboration with Cruise.
Cruise has a longstanding history with Warner Bros., having starred in numerous successful films distributed by the studio. His dedication to the movie theater experience during the pandemic and rise of streaming platforms has made him a prominent advocate for the industry. Last year, director Steven Spielberg praised Cruise for potentially saving the entire theatrical industry with the release of “Top Gun: Maverick.”
The sequel, released in September 2022, has grossed nearly $1.5 billion worldwide, becoming the fifth highest-grossing film in North American history.
This new partnership marks an exciting phase for Cruise as he continues his mission to support and revive the movie theater industry.