Over the last four decades, few figures in the world of film have given as much to the form as Thomas Cruise Mapother IV — or, as we know him best, Tom Cruise. Across 47 films and counting, cinema's real-life action man has run, jumped, climbed, flown, cycled, dived, danced, danced some more, fought, and even breathed his own carbon dioxide, all in service of making the big screen experience as big as it can possibly be. Now, in recognition of his years of service to cinema, both as an actor and producer, the BFI have today announced they'll be celebrating Cruise by awarding the star their highest honour — the BFI Fellowship.
The official press release from the BFI announces that "The Fellowship recognises Cruise’s achievements as an extraordinary, versatile actor whose career has spanned everything from critically acclaimed dramas and romances to dark thrillers and high-octane action films." What's more, Cruise's awarding of the Fellowship, which places the Mission: Impossible talisman in the rarified company of industry titans including Akira Kurosawa, Bette Davis, Christopher Nolan, Orson Welles, Elizabeth Taylor, and Spike Lee, also serves to recognise Cruise's contributions to the UK film industry as a producer, too. As the BFI's release notes, not only has Cruise worked as an actor on productions by Sir Ridley Scott, Doug Liman, and Stanley Kubrick on this side of the pond, but many of Cruise's Mission movies — on which he serves as producer — have shot on location here also. Over the past quarter century, the Lake District, Peak District, North Yorkshire, Birmingham, and London have all come under Cruise control at one time or another, bolstering the British film industry and giving the next generation of homegrown talent invaluable space and resources to hone their craft.
“I am truly honoured by this acknowledgement,” said Cruise in a statement accompanying today's announcement. “I’ve been making films in the UK for over 40 years and have no plans to stop. The UK is home to incredibly talented professionals — actors, directors, writers and crews, as well as some of the most stunning locations in the world. I’m grateful for all the BFI has done to support UK filmmaking and this incredible art form we share.”
The BFI's celebration of all things Tom Cruise is set to extend to a month-long programme of events based in London. The Top Gun: Maverick actor will appear In Conversation at the BFI Southbank on Sunday 11 May, an in-person event open to the general public and to budding young filmmakers looking to make inroads in the industry. And throughout May, the BFI Southbank and BFI IMAX will be screening 27 films from across Cruise's illustrious career, giving cinema goers a chance to see the actor's work on the big screen, where it belongs. And with Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning set to hit cinemas on 23 May, potentially bringing the curtain down on Ethan Hunt's time at the IMF, it looks like we're in for a real Cruise filled summer — and everyone's invited.