SimplyAbuDhabi XLII

Rhames, what they can do with these characters and invest us in these stories. Rebecca Ferguson is absolutely brilliant. When you’re looking at Hayley Atwell, an incredible actress, a real light that actually enabled us and inspired this kind of chase in Rome. Pom Klementieff is so magnetic, so talented. We build our films for an ensemble for that story. It’s not about me, it’s about the story. And to have these brilliant actors come in and they’re so committed in every way. I feel very privileged. The women on themovie say you are themost givingman and that you do think about gender roles andmaking powerful roles for women – does that just come naturally? TOM CRUISE: I’ve been very fortunate to work with some incredible people and have them be so very generous! And you’ve also had a very fruitful collaboration with Christopher McQuarrie. TOM CRUISE: 16 years! Christopher McQuarrie has had a hand in every single film that I’ve made in the last 16 years. And he’s uncredited. He wrote ‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol’, he’s had a hand in editing, writing, every single thing I’ve ever done. He is my creative brother. He is an exceptional human being and filmmaker and I love him, I love his family. This is a very special moment for all of us. You are such a champion of the big screen. We saw that with ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ which brought audiences back to the cinema after the pandemic. And now we have another ‘Mission: Impossible’ – why is that so important to you? TOM CRUISE: I make movies for the big screen. I love that communal experience. I know it’s going to go to those other platforms but there is a community, we all come from different cultures and ways of life and we all join together in that theatre to experience cinema. And it’s something that I grew up with, it made me and inspired me to dream and want to travel the world. My goal as a child was to make movies and travel the world. And not just be a tourist but to work in that world and live there and understand the culture. And if you look at my movies, I’ve been able to have that because of everyone here – you’ve enabled and allowed me to entertain. And it’s a privilege for me and something that I’ve never taken for granted. It is my passion, making movies, it’s my passion to entertain you. And I will always fight for big theatres and that kind of experience forever. And what is the cinema experience like for you as a viewer? Do you go for a soda and popcorn? Set the scene for us. TOM CRUISE: I definitely have to go with the popcorn and soda! I do cheat a bit at the cinema and have a soda – I’m not allowed to usually, because of my diet – I’m constantly in training. But I like the popcorn and soda, some candy, and I sit back and just watch the big screen. I go in with my hat and my glasses on, and I take my glasses off when I’m in there. And what’s wonderful is when you have a really good movie, people are invested in it, so they see me there but then it’s just ‘we’re all in it together’. I love that. Photographer: Cedric Ribeiro Simply Abu Dhabi | 119