Ethan Hawke'S Bold Take On Tom Cruise'S Stunt Legacy

Ethan Hawke's Candid Confession

Ethan Hawke isn't holding back when it comes to his thoughts on Hollywood's adrenaline king, Tom Cruise. During a chat about his upcoming film, "The Weight," at the Sundance Film Festival, Hawke shared his mixed emotions about Cruise's legendary stunt work. The "Mission: Impossible" star has set a new standard for actors, and Hawke isn't entirely thrilled about it.

"Tom Cruise has totally changed what's expected for actors," Hawke shared on Sunday in an interview with Variety. "Some part of me is getting angry over the years because everyone somehow feels like they're less if they use a stunt team."

Hawke's frustration stems from Cruise's penchant for performing his own death-defying stunts, a trend that has raised the bar in the industry. While Hawke acknowledges Cruise's talent, he wishes for a return to a time when actors weren't expected to be superheroes.

The Weight of Expectations

In contrast to Cruise's explosive action scenes, Hawke's "The Weight" offers a more grounded approach to filmmaking. The film, which follows a father on a quest to save his daughter, relies on human elements rather than over-the-top stunts. Hawke appreciates this shift, stating, "there were no ridiculous stunts. It's human. It's not about things blowing up, so most of the stunts were things we could do. They weren't superhero things."

Hawke's own experience filming "The Weight" was far from easy. He faced grueling conditions, including a challenging scene where his character crosses an icy river. "This was one of the hardest summers of my life," Hawke admitted in an exclusive preview. The actor describes the shoot as an "action movie without that much action," highlighting the physical and mental toll it took on him.

Tom Cruise's High-Flying Legacy

On the other side of the spectrum, Tom Cruise continues to push the limits of what's possible in action films. His daring stunts in "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning" are a testament to his dedication. In one particularly harrowing scene, Cruise dangles mid-air from a seatbelt during a climactic biplane battle.

Director Christopher McQuarrie recalls how the intense stunt "almost broke [Cruise's] back" and separated the joints in his fingers. Despite the risks, Cruise remains committed to delivering jaw-dropping performances that leave audiences on the edge of their seats.

Entertainment Weekly has reached out to Cruise's representatives for comment, but the action star's influence on Hollywood's expectations is undeniable. As Hawke and Cruise continue to carve their own paths, the debate over the role of stunts in filmmaking rages on.