Steven Spielberg says Tom Cruise saved Hollywood and the entire film industry with his Top Gun: Maverick; watch video

Hollywood’s renowned filmmaker Steven Spielberg appears to be crediting Tom Cruise for saving Hollywood and the entire film industry for that matter.

As shared by The Hollywood Reporter, The Fabelmans director told Cruise in his ear in what was seemingly intended as a private exchange that last year’s blockbuster sequel Top Gun: Maverick might have single-handedly saved the theatrical industry.

Steven Spielberg tells Tom Cruise that “you saved Hollywood’s ass and you might have saved theatrical distribution. Seriously, ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ might have saved the entire theatrical industry.” pic.twitter.com/nPWR5BqiUV
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) February 14, 2023

The video was first shared by Oscar nominee Kartiki Gonsalves, director of the documentary short film The Elephant Whisperers. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, Top Gun: Maverick debuted in May 2022 and has reportedly grossed more than $1.48 billion globally.

The film was the second movie to gross over $1 billion at the worldwide box office amid the pandemic, first being Spider-Man: No Way Home. As per Variety’s report, the film also ranks as the 11th highest-grossing movie in history worldwide (unadjusted for inflation).

Maverick has also earned six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Meanwhile, Spielberg and Cruise have also previously worked together on 2002’s Minority Report and 2005’s War of the Worlds.

Also Read: Steven Spielberg opens up on presenting his own family in The Fabelmans; says, “it’s about following your heart and not sacrificing yourself”