Tom Cruise’s Career: Top Gun, Mission Impossible, and More
In July 2023, The Guardian proclaimed Tom Cruise’s latest cinematic offering, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, as the “Tom Cruiseiest Tom Cruise film.” This latest installment stands as a testament to Cruise’s consistency in delivering the quintessential Cruise experience from gravity-defying stunts, sprints across exotic locales, high-octane car chases, and more factors that have defined his stardom throughout his illustrious career.
A stalwart in Hollywood, Cruise has carved a niche for himself through roles that embody action, charisma, and iconic style. As we delve into Cruise’s illustrious career, let’s journey through three of his most significant roles.
Top Gun: Maverick
Top Gun: Maverick stands as a cinematic juggernaut in the realm of Hollywood blockbusters, not only grossing a staggering $1.2 billion globally but also etching its mark as Paramount’s most significant worldwide release. This is the 2022 sequel to the 1986 smash hit where Tom Cruise reprises his starring role as the naval aviator Maverick, who donned aviator sunglasses consistently throughout the two films.
Beyond its box office triumph, the film rekindled public fascination with the eyewear. The iconic aviators have been a consistent bestseller among Ray-Ban sunglasses, alongside the Clubmaster or Justin Classic, ever since aviator sales soared nearly 40% in the seven months post-release of the original Top Gun in 1986. Cruise’s meticulous attention to detail in the design of Maverick’s sunglasses and his personal affinity for aviators in real life further solidified their iconic status, turning eyewear into a symbol of cinematic cool among young and elderly men.
Mission Impossible
Since 1992, Tom Cruise has embodied the relentless Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible series. The Mission: Impossible franchise, now spanning seven movies, has become synonymous with high-octane action and espionage. Throughout, Cruise showed commitment to performing his stunts, whether it’s suspending on wires while hacking a CIA mainframe computer in 1996’s Mission: Impossible or holding his breath for six minutes while diving into a submerged computer program in Rogue Nation.
The cultural impact of Mission: Impossible is undeniable. Each installment delivers adrenaline-pumping thrills and showcases Cruise’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of action sequences. The series has solidified Cruise’s standing as an action icon, with his portrayal of Ethan Hunt becoming synonymous with high-octane entertainment.
Risky Business
Before Maverick’s aviators, there were Joel Goodson’s Ray-Ban Wayfarers in Risky Business, a film that marked Tom Cruise’s breakthrough into the echelons of fame. Released in 1983, this coming-of-age comedy-drama was a turning point in Cruise’s career, establishing him as a leading man. Unsurprisingly, Cruise’s impact in eyewear fashion following Top Gun: Maverick finds its roots in Risky Business.
The iconic Ray-Ban Wayfarers, featuring a black plastic frame and dark lenses, became a crucial component of Cruise’s attire, supporting the cool and assured manner of his character. Remarkably, before Risky Business, Ray-Ban had considered discontinuing the Wayfarers. However, the film’s release proved to be a game-changer, sparking a remarkable 50% surge in sales for iconic Ray-Ban shades. Cruise’s ability to influence fashion and cultural trends had begun, setting the stage for his succeeding iconic roles.
As we reflect on Cruise’s cinematic journey, it’s impossible to ignore the future. The untitled eighth Mission: Impossible film, slated for release on May 23, 2025, promises to be another milestone in Cruise’s career. Returning as Ethan Hunt, Cruise continues to lead a franchise that has defined his legacy for nearly three decades. As Cruise steers towards new horizons, audiences can undoubtedly anticipate more of the Tom Cruise magic that has made him an enduring icon in the world of entertainment.
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