Key Takeaways:
– Tom Cruise reportedly earned over $100 million for his role in Top Gun: Maverick.
– Cruise's blockbuster success followed the path paved by Marlon Brando, who was the first male actor to earn $1 million for a single film.
– Elizabeth Taylor was the first female star to earn a $1 million payday.
– Steven Spielberg praised Cruise for his role in revitalizing Hollywood, possibly mending their previously strained relationship.
Historic Paychecks
Known for his charism and box office prowess, screen luminary Tom Cruise has earned his position as a powerhouse figure in Hollywood. With his action-packed film Top Gun: Maverick, Cruise made history with a record-breaking payday. Reportedly, the esteemed actor pocketed an incredible sum surpassing $100 million for this iconic role (Screen Rant). While this paycheck is nothing short of breathtaking, it's essential to acknowledge that a path to such astronomical figures was first paved half a century ago by legendary actor Marlon Brando.
Unforgettable Icons Who Set The Stage
In the realm of movie megastars, Marlon Brando left a bold footprint. In 1962, The Godfather film star smashed barriers by becoming the first actor to earn a sum of $1 million for a single film – the classic Mutiny on the Bounty (Guinness World Records). While this amount may seem modest compared to Cruise's latest compensation, it marked a groundbreaking shift in actor remuneration and set a precedent for paychecks to come.
Beyond Brando, it's salient to note the role of another timeless legend in setting high marks for actor remuneration. Elizabeth Taylor, the first woman to earn a million-dollar paycheck, sparked a revolution for actresses with her impressive earnings for the remarkable film Cleopatra (Picture Showman).
Rekindling Relationships in Hollywood
Cruise's superlative success seems to have paved the way to mend his soured relationship with acclaimed director Steven Spielberg. Their partnership on the sci-fi blockbuster War of The Worlds was extensively celebrated, with the movie raking in over $600 million globally (The Numbers). Despite their promising collaboration, Cruise's focus on personal issues during the movie's promotion led to a decline in their rapport (The Daily Mail).
However, the two veterans of the silver screen seem to have put their past tiffs behind them. Spielberg, at the 2023 Oscar luncheon, waxed lyrical about Cruise's contribution to the industry with his billion-dollar success in Top Gun: Maverick. In Spielberg's words, “You saved Hollywood's a***, and you might have saved theatrical distribution.”
The internet buzzed as a video surfaced of Spielberg and Cruise shaking hands and sharing warm embraces. As the excitement continues to build, fans eagerly wait to see if this duo will rekindle their working relationship.
Conclusion
In the ever-evolving world of Hollywood, Tom Cruise's commanding position and spectacular earnings reflect the culmination of landmark efforts by pioneers like Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Taylor. With past feuds fading away, the anticipation is mounting to witness what fresh collaborations might be in store for Cruise, particularly with Spielberg. Despite the industry's dynamic landscape, these historic milestones will continue to mark important chapters in Hollywood history.
Top Gun: Maverick is now streaming on Amazon Prime.
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