Well, David Ellison just got a glowing endorsement from Tom Cruise — who believes Paramount Pictures will follow through on its promise to deliver 30 theatrical release movies per year if it merges Warner Bros. Discovery.
Cruise was being interviewed by Pat McAfee on his show Tuesday afternoon (via THR), where they discussed the the “Days of Thunder” sequel, which starts production soon, and, of course, the merger.
When asked about Ellison’s promise to make 30 movies per year, Cruise gave full-fledged support to the idea:
I think it’s awesome. You know, here’s the thing: they’re going to deliver 30 movies. It’s a community to me. It’s not an industry. The people in these studios are not just people in the studios, they’re my family. I know we’re going to get those 30 movies. I want us all to come together as a community to make help those 30 movies.
It’s not just going to be Paramount doing it. Everyone’s going to need all the help of every artist to be able to do it. [If] we do well with those, those 30 movies are going to turn into 40 movies. It’s not good enough that I just get to make this movie for me.
I see so many talented people that I want them to have that opportunity, to make the films that they want and be able to … these artists, all these greats, they got to cut their teeth and learn in the same way that you get to act and you’re learning.
You take it, and the next one, and the next one.
Every single one of them, the Iñárritus, the Spielbergs, the Nolans, me, all the opportunities that I’ve had, I want that for every writer, every director, every producer, every artist. And the only way you do it is we have to create an abundance. It’s production begets production.
It should be noted that Cruise and Ellison have a close professional relationship. Ellison, the founder of Skydance, has collaborated with Cruise on major projects, including five ‘Mission: Impossible’ movies, “Top Gun: Maverick,” and has been a strong supporter of Cruise’s career. They are longtime business partners and friends. Cruise has trusted Skydance with some of his biggest projects for well over 15 years. So, no surprise, Cruise is backing Ellison.
Earlier today, we got our first look at Joseph Kosinski's "Miami Vice '85," which is now filming. The cast is sprawling, and we can add yet another talented actor to the mix.