Tom Cruise Wanted to Jump Into the 'Imaginarium'??
Filed under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Casting, New Releases, Newsstand
Love or hate Tom Cruise, you've got to give the man credit -- he's done a pretty good job of throwing us some curve balls. Years ago, when he was dancing around in his boxers, I don't think anyone imagined the stardom and wildness that would follow. And even at the height of his ... unique ... ways, this is not something I would ever have imagined: Tom Cruise wanted into Terry Gilliam's The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.As Collider shares, from an article in Total Film Magazine, the actor was lobbying to be cast in the project, hoping it would be the next step in his image update after Tropic Thunder. Gilliam said: "I know there was a period when Tom's agents were keen. The thing is, I was only interested in people who were friends of Heath. Simple as that. I wanted to keep it in the family."
It was definitely the right decision -- a lot more respectful, with pure intent rather than image-led planning. But beyond the fact that Gilliam made the right choice, I can't get beyond the surprise that Cruise was interested. This is Terry Gilliam. Not a big mainstream-buzzing Ben Stiller flick. Even with the buzz created by Ledger's death, it's a really interesting decision image-wise. Why was Cruise and company so keen? To get him artistic cred? Thoughtful cred for helping out? A boost by the buzz that this is Ledger's first film? I'm at a loss.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-06-2009 @ 6:54PM
Kurt Munro said...
Do you watch movies?
Tom Cruise hasn't just been in mainstream films. Paul Thomas Anderson had only really done Boogie Nights before Tom Cruise appeared in Magnolia.
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9-06-2009 @ 8:49PM
Thomas said...
Terry Gilliam, notwithstanding his bad luck, has done some really good movies. If I was an actor of Tom Cruise's visibility, I would want to work with Terry Gilliam just so I can tell myself I worked with the guy who directed "Twelve Monkees" or "Brazil."
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9-06-2009 @ 9:54PM
paul said...
I think it would be wise for t.c. to do smaller character driven work interspersed between the big budget vehicles he seems to prefer. The jarring youtube videos of his unmasked scientology beliefs has wounded his viability as an actor to helm large budget, tent pole movies. Having said that (his personal beliefs aside) I've always enjoyed his work.
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9-06-2009 @ 11:44PM
dawne27 said...
tom cruise is absolutely one of THE greatest actors to come onto the late 20th century scene. rolling from one genre to the next with ease and skill. always compelling to watch. terry gilliams work is superb! the two would have worked well together. perhaps mr. cruise should consider 'the fall' director tarsem singh for great storytelling/fantasy. an epic poem by j.milton hayes 'the one eyed idol' would be perfect role (as well as gerard butler) as mad carew!
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9-07-2009 @ 1:55PM
TheCritic28 said...
Wait, this is Ledger's first film? Am I in some sort of time warp? WHAT ELSE HAVEN'T YOU TOLD ME!
But yeah, you have a typo.
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9-07-2009 @ 5:18PM
gillian said...
Cruise has an eye for great works especially great directors.Im glad though Cruise is not part of this.I dont want him on any Ledger film or franchise like Batman for his safety sake. Im sorry but I feel like Ledger is not that great or even a role model. His works even Batman feels cursed.
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9-07-2009 @ 5:35PM
Limbo said...
How true is that gossip considering the source was the Guardian article. Not exactly reliable and Cruise meets with many people and many socialize with him. Cruise visited Peter Jackson's mansion and now all this crazy rumors of him being in Halo or Hobbit. Zack Synder visited Cruise in his Beverly Mansion and the tabloids machine immediately printed nonsense that Cruise will be part of Watchmen. All false. Tabloids and news always like using Cruise name because it garners lots of attention and buzz. The biggest mystery is when will the Academy notice Cruise because his films are usually entertaining and meaty and he's top notch an actor.
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9-11-2009 @ 8:01AM
Brooke said...
I really do hate it for Cruise that his acting ability (which is superb) is being overshadowed by his personal life and beliefs. Seems like he can't say or do anything right in the tabloid/public's eye anymore. Everything he does gets twisted and turned and ends up making him look like a fool. I never heard anything much about his personal life when he was with Nicole Kidman, but as soon as he starts dating Katie Holmes he is all over the gossip columns. Rather you agree with his beliefs or not, you really can't deny that he is one of the best actors of our time. I think he, Brad Pitt, and Johnny Depp all have that in common, they are all around the same age and also seem to adapt well with the times and are all great actors. Although not in the same age group, I feel that Heath Ledger was also one of the best upcoming actors of our time, sad that he had to die so young. I'm sure there are others, but the ones that always come to mind are Tom, Brad, Johnny, Al Pacino, Nicholas Cage and Jack Nicholson.
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