Tom Cruise acknowledges being ‘intense’ on set

At 64, the star of Mission: Impossible does not shy away from his reputation as a perfectionist. He states that he works hard, expects a lot from his colleagues, and makes his demands clear to those who join his projects.

“The rumors are true,” he tells them, according to his remarks reported by GQ. Tom Cruise adds that he promises to arrive on set before them while asking what kind of experience they wish to have during the production.

The actor presents this intensity as a responsibility towards the entire team. He emphasizes that films are prepared long before the first day of shooting, with scripts, work plans, and ongoing learning.

Tom Cruise assures that this character trait did not emerge with his fame. Even as a child, he recounts, those around him found him particularly intense. He says he now welcomes this observation with humor, without denying his need to understand and master the subjects that interest him.

This interview comes as the actor prepares for the release of Digger, the dark comedy by Alejandro González Iñárritu. He plays Digger Rockwell, an eccentric oil magnate facing the consequences of a disaster he caused himself.

The role marks his first leading character in an original film, outside of a franchise, in nearly ten years. Tom Cruise describes it as the most demanding acting challenge of his career. Digger is set to hit theaters on October 2, 2026.