Tom Cruise is reflecting on his past work with ex-wife Nicole Kidman, applauding her talent and their shared experience on Stanley Kubrick’s 1999 psychological thriller Eyes Wide Shut. The Hollywood icon recently opened up in an exclusive interview with Sight and Sound magazine, offering rare insights into the making of the film and Kidman’s critical role in its success.
Cruise, who was married to Kidman from 1990 to 2001, spoke fondly of their collaboration on what would become Kubrick’s final film. Recalling the early stages of the project, Cruise revealed that he visited Kubrick personally to discuss the script. “I flew to his house and landed in his backyard. We spent the day talking about the story,” the Mission: Impossible star shared.
During that meeting, Cruise suggested Kidman for the role of Alice. “I knew all of Kubrick’s films and wanted to dive deep into this one. Nicole was my first choice for the role because she’s an outstanding actress,” he said, emphasizing her ability to bring emotional depth to the complex narrative.
Cruise also discussed the demanding nature of the project and praised the film’s provocative storyline. “Whatever it was going to take, we were going to do it,” he said, underlining their dedication to Kubrick’s vision.
Beyond revisiting his past film work, Cruise is currently making headlines as he prepares to receive the prestigious BFI Fellowship, one of the highest honors in British cinema. He will join an elite group of cinematic legends including Martin Scorsese, Cate Blanchett, Orson Welles, and Akira Kurosawa.
As Cruise continues to add new accolades to his already legendary career, his respectful nod to Nicole Kidman reminds fans of their iconic on-screen chemistry and enduring impact on film history.
