The Hollywood star supports David Ellison’s ambitious expansion plan, saying increased production could create more opportunities for filmmakers and emerging talent.
Tom Cruise has publicly backed Paramount CEO David Ellison’s plan to release 30 films a year if the studio’s proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery is completed.
Cruise voiced his support during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, where he was promoting the newly announced sequel to Days of Thunder. Asked about Ellison’s commitment to increasing Paramount’s annual film output, Cruise gave the proposal an enthusiastic endorsement.
“I think it’s awesome,” Cruise said, describing Hollywood as a “community” rather than simply an industry.
He said people working at major studios were like family to him and expressed confidence that the planned slate of 30 films would become a reality.
“I know we’re going to get those 30 movies. I want us all to come together as a community to help make those 30 movies,” he said.
Cruise calls for wider Hollywood collaboration
Cruise stressed that the initiative should not be viewed as an effort involving Paramount alone. He said filmmakers and artists across Hollywood would need to contribute to making the expanded production model successful.
“If we do well with those, those 30 movies are going to turn into 40 movies,” Cruise said.
The actor also linked the plan to opportunities for emerging filmmakers, arguing that a larger volume of film production could give new talent the chance to develop their careers.
Cruise cited directors including Alejandro González Iñárritu, Steven Spielberg and Christopher Nolan as examples of filmmakers who had the opportunity to develop their craft through years of filmmaking.
“It’s not good enough that I just get to make this movie for me,” Cruise said, adding that he wanted talented artists to have opportunities to make the films they wanted.
He described the principle as “production begets production”, arguing that a stronger flow of film projects could create more opportunities throughout the industry.
Paramount plans 30-film annual slate
Ellison announced Paramount’s plan to release 30 films a year at CinemaCon in April. The proposal was accompanied by a commitment to maintain a 45-day exclusive theatrical window for Paramount and Warner Bros. releases.
The ambitious plan has nevertheless faced scepticism in Hollywood as Paramount’s proposed $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery remains under scrutiny.
A coalition of state attorneys general is challenging the transaction in an ongoing antitrust case, with the trial currently scheduled to begin on March 2.
Cruise’s long relationship with Paramount
Cruise has longstanding ties with Paramount. His major collaborations with the studio include all eight Mission: Impossible films and the Top Gun franchise, as well as The Firm, Vanilla Sky, Collateral, War of the Worlds and Jack Reacher.
His backing gives Ellison’s proposed expansion a high-profile endorsement from one of Paramount’s most commercially successful and closely associated stars.