Tom Cruise Calls MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING Weekend “One for the History Books”
Tom Cruise isn’t holding back his gratitude following the massive opening of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which I’ve watched in theaters twice so far.
The adrenaline-fueled latest entry in the franchise exploded onto the global box office with a $204 million haul, which no small feat, especially for a series over 30 years in the making.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Cruise thanked pretty much everyone involved in the film’s success, from studio execs to theater employees. He wrote:
“This weekend was one for the history books! Congratulations and thank you to every filmmaker, every artist, every crew member and every single person who works at the studios. To every theater and every employee who helps bring these stories to audiences, thank you.”
Cruise didn’t stop there, making sure to call out the folks at Paramount Pictures and Skydance for sticking with the franchise across decades:
“To everyone that works at Paramount Pictures and Skydance, thank you for your many years of partnership and unwavering support.”
And, as always, Cruise kept the spotlight on moviegoers:
“And most of all, THANK YOU to audiences everywhere for whom we all serve and for whom we all LOVE to entertain. Sincerely, Tom.”
The weekend wasn’t just big for Mission: Impossibleas Disney’s Lilo & Stitch live-action reboot also opened strong with $341 million worldwide, helping set a new Memorial Day weekend record for combined box office.
Cruise was also recently met with a roaring reception at the Cannes Film Festival. Speaking to the audience afterward, Cruise reflected on the journey:
“I’m just very grateful, very grateful for 30 years to be able to entertain you with this franchise. Grateful for my friend [director Christopher McQuarrie] every step of the way — what you’ve done, how you’ve expanded it, how we just went beyond our expectations.
“Your absolute care, your talent. You’re an amazing human being. It’s been a real privilege, a real pleasure, and I look forward to making a bunch of other kinds of movies with you.”
He closed with a message to the fans that could just as easily sum up his entire career philosophy:
“We just want to thank you all. Thank you so much for everything, for allowing us to entertain you. It’s very special.”
Cruise runs on pure cinematic passion, and judging by this weekend’s numbers, the world’s still very much along for the ride.