Tom Cruise has shared that he regularly calls Keanu Reeves to express admiration for his work in the John Wick films, highlighting a mutual respect between two of Hollywood’s leading action stars. During a recent event in New York for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Cruise emphasized how much he appreciates Reeves’ achievements, demonstrating that Keanu Reeves being praised by Tom Cruise for John Wick movies is an ongoing show of peer recognition in the film industry.
Shared Admiration Between Iconic Action Stars
Tom Cruise first took on the role of Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible in 1996, and now, as he nears the end of his time with the franchise, he’s been reflective about the journey. Keanu Reeves, who most recently starred as the formidable assassin John Wick, is also stepping away from high-octane roles for a break. Both actors are celebrated for their groundbreaking stunts and charismatic performances that have helped define modern action movies.
At the recent red carpet event prior to the Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning premiere in New York, Cruise didn’t hesitate to commend Reeves publicly. Cruise revealed his habit of calling Reeves to congratulate him after major accomplishments, especially on the successes within the John Wick franchise.
“I grew up with Keanu. You see Speed, you see The Matrix, and also what they did with the [John] Wick franchise, and looking at that you’re saying, look at how they captured the tone from that and that ability and charisma. …I know what it takes to do that stuff so I always call him. I’m like ‘Hats off man, hats off,’ and I dig those movies, I really love it.”
—Tom Cruise, Actor
Action Hero Brotherhood and Industry Impact
The camaraderie between Cruise and Reeves extends beyond film sets and premieres. Both have embraced the most demanding aspects of action filmmaking, with Cruise’s Mission: Impossible films renowned for daring stunts and physical storytelling. Reeves, inspired by peers like Cruise, is equally committed to performing intense physical work in the John Wick series, earning him a reputation as the assassin genre’s counterpart to Cruise’s legendary spy, Ethan Hunt.
In a unique connection, Michael Nyqvist stands out as the only actor to play a villain in both the Mission: Impossible and John Wick franchises, adding another layer of interconnection between the two film series.
While there’s no official project that pairs Cruise and Reeves together on screen, there is growing speculation that Cruise could be co-starring with Ana de Armas, who made her mark in the John Wick universe, in the upcoming thriller Deeper. Ana de Armas, soon to headline the highly anticipated spinoff Ballerina, is already drawing attention from Cruise and fans alike.
Regarding Ballerina, Cruise shared his enthusiasm at the New York premiere:
“I saw the movie [Ballerina], it just kicks a** … it’s right in that tone, it’s right in that Wick world, you’re gonna love it.”
—Tom Cruise, Actor
Significance and What Lies Ahead
The exchanges between Tom Cruise and Keanu Reeves underscore a tradition of supporting excellence within Hollywood’s action film community. Their mutual admiration not only highlights each actor’s accomplishments but also sets a standard for camaraderie in an industry often marked by competition. As Mission: Impossible enters its final chapter and John Wick is put on pause, industry watchers and fans are eager to see what future projects might bring these stars together, either directly or by inspiring a new generation of action films. The respect shared among talents like Cruise, Reeves, and Ana de Armas, along with nods to cross-franchise veterans like Michael Nyqvist, demonstrate the ongoing evolution of blockbuster filmmaking and the strength of professional relationships at its core.
