Steven Spielberg Pays Tom Cruise A Bonkers Compliment As They Hug

The cinema icons chatted at the Oscar nominees luncheon when Spielberg uttered the mighty praise in Cruise's ear.
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Famed director Steven Spielberg told fellow icon Tom Cruise that he “saved Hollywood’s ass” at the Oscar nominees luncheon this week.

Video of the two hugging and Spielberg praising the “Top Gun: Maverick” star for the blockbuster sequel’s success went viral on Tuesday.

“You saved Hollywood’s ass,” Spielberg said. “And you might have saved theatrical distribution. Seriously, ‘Maverick’ might have saved the entire theatrical industry.”

Cruise appeared to take the messiah-like flattery with aw-shucks modesty before Spielberg excused himself to take a call.

Cruise has been a reliable box-office mover for decades but the $1.4 billion-plus for “Maverick” is his greatest by far.

Steven Spielberg (left) and Tom Cruise meet, legend to legend, at the Oscar nominees luncheon.
Steven Spielberg (left) and Tom Cruise meet, legend to legend, at the Oscar nominees luncheon.
via Associated Press

The pandemic put a serious crimp in theatrical viewing but films such as Cruise’s and “Avatar: The Way of Water” (2022) have proved that movie fans will still flock to the cinema.

Cruise and Spielberg will be adversaries on Oscars night in March. Cruise is up for a Best Picture award as a producer for “Maverick,” as is Spielberg for his semi-autobiographical movie “The Fabelmans.” Spielberg is also a Best Director nominee.

The “Avatar” sequel, directed and produced by James Cameron, is also in the running for Best Picture.

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