Why Tom Cruise's Tropic Thunder Role Never Should Have Worked

[@visno]

les grossman doesn’t need his own movie. the character just needs to appear in every movie about hollywood and that in itself will create a shared universe

[@zimriel]

The Coens would be good for it

[@ChrisBrooksGuitar]

The Grossiverse

[@ComedyBros5]

Oh hell yes! This is a genius idea!

[@MrBiggles53]

The new Nick Fury or … Stan The Man Lee!

[@spockterwho]

Yes! He should do a "Stan-Lee" approach! Every exec cameo.

[@mr.pastaman]

Im not even a fan of Tom, but he absolutely killed this performance. And i was definitely one of the people that didn't even know it was him until the credits rolled. 😂

[@itsMisterNav]

Yeah mee too, I never knew it was him until year later 😂😂

[@jokersson21]

im one the biggest in not liking tom crusie and i can not deny how funny how he is in tropic thunder

[@LewiCC-rd5nf]

While not a fan of tom as a person I respect him as a career actor

[@jokersson21]

agreed @@LewiCC-rd5nf

[@greengamerguy623]

you didn't know it was him because you're a hater

[@nimbusnation9584]

The movie Tropic Thunder is the very definition of catching lightning in a bottle. The cast the characters the plot...excellent. 👏👏👏

[@Imhotep70]

And the TIMING. Tropic Thunder could've only worked in a few rare times, and they caught one!

[@zerrodefex]

And like Blazing Saddles we won't see anything like it again.

[@minhducnguyen9276]

Not just Tom, there's something feels very spontaneous about the rest of the actors while it's obviously scripted, it feels like each of them also put some twist of their own into the movie.

[@vandalg282]

Black face and good acting from said actor in blck face...because if we're being real, Stiller, Black, and McBride, were not on their A game of funny. In fact, a lot of the movie was carried by Cruise and RDJ, and this coming from a person who dislikes Downey. It felt like it was supposed to be funny because "look, said funny actor is here, time to laugh" ala Anchorman 2....then it was carried by a guy who isn't even a comedic actor smh. Lightning in a bottle indeed.

[@gauravshukla71]

@@zerrodefex Agreed. The biggest difference between 08 and now is social media really where the least intelligent, loudest people or people just with an agenda get amplified. We all know that using blackface is wrong when used to caricature black people. In this movie's case, the joke is really about RDJ's character and his extreme dedication to method acting. Even that level of slap-you-in-the face obvious point is lost on trolls. It's a sad loss to artistic creativity.

[@btbarr16]

Honestly, the fact Tom's role is an anomaly in his career is what makes that character great. The initial "is that... Is that Tom Cruise?" Makes that whole role even better. I think revisiting it for more than a cameo would kind of cheapen it.

[@SpaceMissile]

agreed. this is a "less is more" kind of situation and it's done perfectly.

[@parzavaal5335]

@SpaceMissile 100% agreed.

[@DamienDarkside]

This subversion of roles is one of the reasons why John Travolta was cast in "Pulp Fiction". Tarantino knew that John could dance, but at this point in Travolta's career people almost forgot that he could. It had been like a decade since he last danced in a film. So when they heard the Jack Rabbit's dance the audience was actually thinking "is John Travolta... going to dance?" Then he's up on stage, with Uma Thurman, doing the twist. The whole scene is great, and revitalized his career. It also was a deciding factor to him eventually doing "Hairspray", which was another "That's Travolta?" role.

[@vociferonheraldofthewinter2284]

Exactly. My husband and I were watching the movie and I picked up that it was Cruise toward the end. I whispered, "Honey! That's Tom Cruise!!" He was so confused. He scowled and studied the character and kept saying, "No. I don't think that's him" until right at the end. He almost yelled, "Oh my god! That is Tom Cruise!" right in the theater. People around us started whispering and about a minute later a lady exclaimed, "That IS Tom Cruise!!" I was already laughing at the movie, but that made me bark. lol!

[@Shhhh....DaMoviesOn]

This is true... Very very true in fact but I still want the movie lol

[@TJSaw]

Can’t believe Tropic Thunder was now 16 years ago 😮

[@NostalgiaforInfinity]

You either die young, or live long enough to see yourself transform into a millennial boomer. 😑

[@gandalfnooo2743]

don't say those things please :E

[@sproutpits]

Don't forget that right around the time this movie was being made, Cruise was in the news for all the wrong reasons, much of which made him appear to be taking himself waaaaaay too seriously. This role was a perfect opportunity for him to soften his image up just a bit, and it worked.

[@Flow-J.Simpson]

Yeah, this wasn't that long after dancing on Oprah's couch, like 2 years maybe. Which SEEMS, like a long time, but not when it's a bad taste left in people's mouth and the Sceintology shit.

[@Stormwern]

The most impressive career-recovery I can think of.

[@Kilyra]

Honestly, I fully assumed that was the reason he took this role was trying to win everyone back and poke fun at himself. For the most part it worked! I'm stunned to find out that wasn't the case/plan lol

[@solefinder3708]

Yep, this movie role with Tom is even reference in a lesson at Film Connection. They said the same thing..

[@nowgowz]

Excellent point that I didn't think of. This totally changed his image in a lot of people's minds. I forgot about the crazy couch show..

[@jeshkam]

Tom definitely has a huge comic talent. He should do two or three comedy movies before he retires.

[@drivenbyrage5710]

Risky Business

[@jeshkam]

@@drivenbyrage5710 Masterpiece.

[@levi1929]

He could do like Robert De Niro in his late career. I would be excited for that.

[@prodigy1605]

Psst…he wasn’t acting. 😂

[@TooSikhEntertainment]

​@@levi1929Nah, that would dilute the novelty of it.

[@extantsanity]

He was absolutely phenomenal in Tropic Thunder, and the fact that he was able to identify something "missing" from Ben's story says a lot about his genius-level understanding of Hollywood -- both in terms of what would make the story more convincing/compelling, and in terms of what would improve the comedy. Also, I always love the looks on reactors' faces when they go, "Wait... is that TOM CRUISE?? 🤯🤯" 😂🤣. Please do not make a movie of him, just let us have that moment, haha. I do hope to see what other characters he plays with in his mind, though.

[@Katya_Lastochka]

He basically saved the movoe. Maybe he should direct the next comedy.

[@KaiserM3]

He (Tom) is a producer, I think he produces those last MI movies and even the last top gun, the guy creates characters and develop scripts and ideas, he is a genius from filmography

[@SL4PSH0CK]

Collateral and tropic thunder he has potential on other roles 👏

[@davidfaustino4476]

​@@KaiserM3if you think that's what producers do.. then sure I guess so.

[@KaiserM3]

@@davidfaustino4476 😂🤣😂🤣 oh lord where these little losers comes from?

[@angelcitystudio]

I am not a huge Cruise fan but he literally transformed into Weinstein. He knew exactly what he was doing and it was perfect. It was ALL him. Stiller was totally skeptical about Tom's vision for Grossman till he saw it and was blown away. It is amazing how few people even knew it was Tom. He earned my respect in this film for sure!

[@arizona_anime_fan]

Ben Stiller has often made massive changes to his scripts based on the actor's input. It's probably why he had such a roll of success as a director of comedies. Dodgeball had the same thing happening when Jason Bateman read the part for Pepper Brooks. Ben Stiller had originally envisioned Pepper and Cotton as two overly serious and buttoned down straight men to the insanity. You can still see it in Cotton's commentating, he takes everything 100% seriously. Jason Bateman read the script and he tried to envison the pair and didn't think it would work. or not be as funny as it could be. So he came in dressed up like a pot smoking xgames star, in fact one of the outfits he wore in the movie was the outfit he put together for himself for the tryout for the part. He was the only one who came to try out for it, who took such a strange twist on it. In fact he didn't even change the lines Pepper was supposed to say; he just delivered them like... well... pepper. And apparently he had the whole cast in stitches, and ben stiller was like "bingo" so they made some slight adjustments to the lines pepper and cotton would say, but interestingly if you listen to the actual dialogue (as silly as it is) between pepper and cotton, it's easy to imagine pepper as a straight laced dull super serious guy, his lines work both ways; so he really "transformed" that role, rather then create it. But it was easily one of the most memorable roles in that movie.

[@benoitbergeron8858]

Even though the guy seems like a maniac sometimes, Tom Cruise is intelligent.

[@rich1051414]

@@arizona_anime_fan Yeah, that's basically Ben's entire shtick regarding directing. He listens to the actors, tries to understand their interpretation and why they are so hyped for it, and then integrates it with his story. It's not the way to make a movie by the book, but he doesn't direct those kinds of movies. I am surprised ben never did anything with nick cage, but perhaps nick is too left field even for ben.

[@Erasureeraser]

Don't forget Scott Rudin too, he's a mega producer who has the same anger issue as Weinstein

[@GregJoshuaW]

@@Erasureeraser But maybe not the penchant for children we hope. Weinstein isn't Grossman for nothing....

[@JJP316]

Cruise deserved an Oscar nomination for this. Seriously.

[@Alex-hm7nt]

Say what you want about TC and his personal life, but you cannot deny his passion/enthusiasm for cinema.

[@christianwestling2019]

How can you not appreciate Tom Cruise for the cinematic genius that he is?

[@knallpistolen]

I would love to tell him that, but he keeps running away.

[@_Titanium_]

Cause he is insufferable and his characters are usually bland AF. Gotta give it to him for this one though

[@northstar6920]

"Tom cruise is tom cruise crazy"

[@Calzaghe83]

@@_Titanium_ lol, insufferably nice? maybe. Great actor? Absolutely.

[@Redmenace96]

@@Calzaghe83 right?

[@iVETAnsolini]

Hands down one of the best comedies made. My friends and I are still quoting this film 15 years later

[@iVETAnsolini]

First time I watched this movie I didn’t know that was Tom cruise until the credits rolled. He nailed that role

[@Hotlog69]

Big hands!

[@mikepalmer1971]

I think of it as the last great comedy ever made.

[@adamchirico7724]

You muh muh muh make me happeee

[@Juju3947]

Never go full retard

[@stevewilson6723]

Tropic Thunder as a movie proved that there were some who were not afraid to make fun of everyone for a laugh. This was my generation's Blazing Saddles. The character of Les Grossman was pure comedic genius. I think that the shock of Cruse playing the role himself, adds more to the performance as it is not his normal genre. I am reminded of the career of Leslie Neilson and how he started out being known for dramatic/ leading man roles. It was the movie Airplane where he went outside of his normal genre and was known for doing serious comedy. While I do not see Tom Cruse totally jumping into comedy I can see it being something that Cruse will do from time to time.

[@Puschit1]

Blazing Saddles is a good comparison. Downey Jr. also surprised me in this. All of them took great risks but it really paid off. And they went to untold lengths. Did you know that they shot a fake documentary/making of of the movie they shoot in Tropic Thunder which is 40 or so minutes? Which means RDJ is an actor playing an actor that doing a fake trailer where he plays an actor that is stuck playing a different character and then has to playing someone else.

[@cesargonzalez4146]

​@@Puschit1He also breaks the fourth wall during the movie: "I'm just a dude playing a dude pretending to be another dude".

[@Rikolus8383]

Great video Nerdstalgic. One name you did not mention was Bill Hader. So often, great performances are accentuated by those who are around him. As you mentioned, the interplay between Cruise and McConaughey was terrific. But Hader was important in his role supporting Grossman, giving the producer a loyal 'follower'.... someone who was on Les' side.

[@excession3076]

He also allowed TC to show a more rounded character. The last scene of them together is affectionate, whatever LG actually says.

[@pfpchad2747]

Seriously, a nutless monkey could do Hader's job. Don't forget that.

[@mitch_sorenstein]

I was among those who had no idea it was Tom Cruise until the credits. That legit blew my mind, the whole movie I was trying to figure out why that Les Grossman guy was so vaguely familiar and TC never even crossed my mind. It was an actual shocker, and it quickly became my favorite role of his.

[@mjjjuly]

Same 😂

[@Erasureeraser]

It was meant to be that way, the marketing hid most of his material and Cruise's name so Ben Stiller wanted Cruise's performance to be a surprise once people saw the end credits that it was actually him. Even if you look at the bottom of the poster for the credits, Cruise' name wasn't there, you can tell that Paramount and DreamWorks were being careful with the promotion of his character, like keeping it a locked safe until the movie comes out. The only time Cruise promoted the movie was when he showed up at the red carpet, most people were confused why was he there since he's not involved in any of the marketing previously

[@anyways4438]

I didn't know Tom Cruise was in the movie before watching it, but when Les hit the screen first I screamed "Oh my God is it a fat fucking Tom Cruise???"

[@rippleyaliens8275]

The ending alone.. Leading up to the Credits.. OH $hit... That was the greatest.

[@halecj1]

First time I saw the movie and Les came on screen, I thought he looked familiar but it wasn't until the second time we see him that I recognized his voice and I knew it was him.

[@duelscamera]

I think we love Les Grossman so much because obviously it is a good character within the film but we love the character because it's Tom Cruise playing him. Tom doesn't do alot of these type of roles and that is why we cherish and love it so much. Had Tom been a comedy actor like Saccha Baron Cohen and we would have liked the character but not love and cherish it. Quality over quantity

[@deerlord2363]

It wasn't Tom playing himself, he was playing extravagant Hollywood producer Joel Silver and Scott Rudin who's known to be verbally and physically abusive towards his staff and Tom based the physical appearance of Les Grossman on Scott.

[@Erasureeraser]

@@deerlord2363 I think from the looks, it's based on Harvey Weinstein whereas the personality it's based on Rudin

[@ChristopherCraven]

​​@@deerlord2363no one said tom was playing himself.

[@MrMagnaniman]

When I first saw it, I didn't realize it was Cruise. He looked familiar, but he was so far out of his wheel house that I just couldn't place him until the very end. So, from my personal experience, I can say that Grossman is a great, hilarious character, whether or not you know it's Cruise.

[@vrASMR180]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Tropic Thunder was the last true comedy to come out of Hollywood. We didn't know how good we had it.

[@Dr.Frankensteen]

Don't think Grossman can carry a whole movie, but it certainly did tie the whole movie together nicely. Always had much respect for Cruise as an actor despite being a weird guy as a person.

[@pIayingwithmahwii]

You’d be surprised. I thought there was no way Saul Goodman could carry a whole TV show, but boy did he

[@Dr.Frankensteen]

@@pIayingwithmahwii Saul didn't surprise me because Bob Odenkirk is a comedic actor and a good one.

[@ScathingMobile]

I didn't think Ted Lasso could carry even a single season based on the handful of NBC ads that launched the character, but I was pleasantly surprised. I can agree that it would have to be an amazing script to make Grossman the lead character, but I think it can be done.

[@marduke45]

i think its like the jack sparrow thing: background chaaracter that helps the main character but everyone loves

[@peterknutsen3070]

I'd love to see Cruise doing more comedic roles, but I agree that a Grossman isn't a good idea.

[@mrmaxcarter2306]

I don't know anyone who didn't immediately recognize Tom Cruise. His face and voice were exactly the same

[@gibsonchomar7428]

I didnt

[@jimralston4789]

The group I was with didn't recognize him nor stayed for the credits so finding out later made it even more surprising.

[@mrmaxcarter2306]

@@jimralston4789 you didn't recognize his voice?

[@jimralston4789]

@@mrmaxcarter2306 Nope. The over-the-top characterization and makeup distracted me enough that I didn't make the connection. Cruise had never done a role like this and they did a good job not pre-releasing his involvement in the movie.

[@falkenvir]

I felt a familiarity but couldn't put my finger on it until the credits roll in.

[@yoced1468]

Me and my friends saw this. Quite a few of them. I distinctly and proudly remember being the first to be like “Yo. Is that Tom Cruise?” And all my friends were like “nah dude shut up idiot go get pop corn so we can throw it around and create a disturbance amongst these innocent film goers.” They followed it up with howling laughter and high-fives. Then as the film progressed it dawned on another of my friends that I might be right. Then my friends watched in silence. Slowly you’d hear the realization in whispers around the audience. A few doubters remained in my group and we waited for the credits. Every character was called with Tom dancing and trolling us all tell his name was finally called at the end. Then my friends lined up to apologize and bought me a pizza for being so observant. I never let them live it down. Honestly that did happen just not as theatrical but what really sold the look was those hands. Such a brilliant call. You’d never even notice how you subconsciously know Tom cruises hands tell they made them massive.

[@Jack_Gibby]

In my opinion Tom Cruise is one of the best actors of this generation

[@heathb4319]

Who would have thought that he would have been... The Last Action Hero. Arnold sure didn't :))

[@BrendanPappas]

I still remember how hard my brother and I laughed the first time we watched “Tropic Thunder” all the way through and Les Grossman yelled “F*CK YOUR OWN FACE” into the phone. It is really disappointing that we haven’t been able to see Tom Cruise in more of these roles. I’m pretty confident he could kill it in most of them.

[@Serevarno]

When I saw Tropic Thunder in theaters, I didn't even realize it was him until the very end. No idea how, but yeah. He killed it.

[@djofortunato5799]

Technically he also killed a handful of folks as Grossman.

[@Erasureeraser]

It was meant to be that way, the marketing hid most of his material and Cruise's name so Ben Stiller wanted Cruise's performance to be a surprise once people saw the end credits that it was actually him. The only time Cruise promoted the movie was when he showed up at the red carpet

[@celuiquipeut6527]

I nevver watch credits. I didnt know ot was him until NOW. lolol i'll go watch the movie again.

[@BrandonL337]

yeah, looking at him now that we know, it seems obvious, like, that's still very much Tom Cruise's face, but I remember the whole theater erupting when he was dancing over the credits and his name popped up.

[@Antonin1738]

my friends and I kept thinking "Is that tom cruise?" during the movie lol

[@elodvezer1790]

6:10 the way the glasses play off the light and cast a cray EVIL EYEBROW over his own brows is awesome

[@AldrickExGladius]

Tom Cruise does comedy because Tom Cruise can do comedy. The man's an amazing actor and he know what an audience wants from their movie's.

[@bunnerkins]

I distinctly remember sitting in the theatre for this film, getting to the live action credits at the end, and having my jaw drop when the words "Tom Cruise" flashed on the screen above a dancing Les Grossman. Tom Cruise may as well have been dead at that point in movie history, I didn't even recognize him.

[@loicalex]

True story 😅

[@mile3018]

Same here!

[@ericcarabetta1161]

I freaking love him as Les, he easily has some of the funniest and most memorable scenes in an already outstanding and hilarious movie.

[@Kryssthealien]

Funny enough, I only recognized him when he started to dance during the credits. I can recognize Tom Cruise move instantly...

[@Mo-MuttMusic]

Thanks for sharing. Love the film, especially TC dancing alone during the end credits! Didn't know all the production backstory and it took a few minutes to realize that was TC playing Les Grossman the first time I saw it. S.R., Mo-Mutt Music

[@Mrnovanova]

That's the movie that made me fully realize the extent of Tom Cruise's talent. I just thought that he was always handed roles that play to his strengths and require little effort. But that man. Hes got it.💯

[@heathb4319]

Who would have thought that Tom Cruise was... The Last Action Hero :)

[@George2647g]

In a way he was just playing an exagerated version of himself though so i'm not sure it's the acting feat everyone says it is... but it was funny that's for sure..

[@olliehopnoodle4628]

I am in the camp of folks who didn't recognize Tom in my first viewing of Tropic Thunder. Once you know it is him, you can't unsee it. I hope he had as much fun playing this character as it appears.

[@zerrodefex]

I think part of it is because at no point does he sprint.

[@Really250]

Same here

[@RounderRounder]

This is easily one of his best roles, and he loved doing it as well which helps.

[@vickilawrence7207]

I was fascinated by the Les gross man character and I didn’t recognize that it was Tom cruise for awhile during his performance! Truly one of my favorite parts of his! It was beyond anything I could have expected from him! It’s good to see that he has such comedic talent

[@davidcottrell1308]

Great commentary....Love, Love LOVE Tropic THunder,.....I own it and watch it regularly. Totally brilliant....and Cruise CRUSHED it!!!!

[@NathanHickeyP]

I saw Tropic Thunder in theaters, and I didn't realize that was Tom Cruise until the credits rolled. Fantastic movie.

[@TheManPuntedBaxter]

Les Grossman was like someone at a party telling a really funny joke that was unexpected. A Les Grossman movie would be like that same person trying to do stand up. I'm not sure that character can carry a whole movie. I'd rather just see a Tropic Thunder sequel.

[@davidbeppler3032]

I want to see the movies in the trailers! RDJ and Tobey Maguire in a gay priest movie?! Hell yea!

[@MrMagnaniman]

I want to see movies made by talented, creative people that are legitimately inspired. Forcing people to make sequels that they aren't inspired to create is usually a recipe for failure. The best you can hope for is mediocrity.

[@zakofrx]

You will never get a sequel in this woke world... Most of them main cast are now the Wokest actors in Hollywood who fill their time attacking others for not being woke enough.. They pretend this movie never happend these days.. The only main actors left are Cruise and McConaughey...

[@GingerZombie29]

Les is the highlight of the movie. Cruise was perfect. I can't imagine anyone else in the role.

[@heathb4319]

I see what you mean. He did it right. But think about this... If you have never seen Richard Dreyfus play a power hungry mad man... He would have done the role right as well. That man can play an irritating, self absorbed, lunatic very well. :))

[@talonmage40k]

It's funny looking at Grossman now and it's so obviously Cruise, but at the time I did not recognize him until a little later in the movie.

[@TheSushit]

Les Grossman is one of the big reasons I still love rewatching Tropic Thunder.

[@kylecook7187]

These days everyone talks about RDJ as Kirk Lazarus as Lincoln Osiris and how great he was and how wild it is that they got away with that, when I was a kid everyone was blown away by the fact that was Tom Cruise and it was a true highlight of the movie.

[@mikesixx7655]

I mean this is the movie that saved RDJs career and put him on the path to be iron man. It was a major risk at the time to even consider hiring him with his drug problems and it was completely the right call.

[@lkf8799]

I knew it was Tom right away from his voice and was so surprised. It was a hilarious performance. Loved him as a villian in Collateral, too. He should play more bad guys 😉

[@brewcitymike1]

I think Collateral is his best film.

[@BoyNamedSue4]

I remember watching this with a group of friends and none of us knew about the casting. We died when the credit showed up.

[@Erasureeraser]

It was meant to be that way, the marketing hid most of his material and Cruise's name so Ben Stiller wanted Cruise's performance to be a surprise once people saw the end credits that it was actually him. Even if you look at the bottom of the poster for the credits, Cruise' name wasn't there, you can tell that Paramount and DreamWorks were being careful with the promotion of his character, like keeping it a locked safe until the movie comes out. The only time Cruise promoted the movie was when he showed up at the red carpet, most people were confused why was he there since he's not involved in any of the marketing previously

[@peterknutsen3070]

The voice sounds very recognizable to me.

[@MrMagnaniman]

I went into that movie completely blind. I chose it from a list, based entirely on the name. "I'll see what this 'Tropic Thunder' thing is all about." I wasn't prepared to see one of the funniest movies of all time. It's up there in the Top 5 with Super Troopers, Dirty Work, Airplane!, and Young Frankenstein.

[@jojoma4025]

This was by far my favorite thing Tom Cruise ever did. EPIC!!!! Also my fav character in the movie for sure.

[@buddylee19082]

Les is my favorite Tom Cruise roll of ALL TIME! Probably because of just how far outside the "norm" it was, but def my fav none the less. He absolutely NAILS this role and I still go back just to see/hear those one-liners every few years.

[@Locadel2003]

That movie was already stoled by Robert Downey Jr fucking hilarious iconic performance and also the rest of the cast. But Tom cruise made it legendary

[@ferugineuse9628]

Someone probably said it already, but the name of Les Grossman being a pun also always made me laugh. He's clearly a gross man with big hands, but his name can also be read as "Les Grosses Mains", or simply Mr Bighands in a somewhat french pronunciation. That's what I call perfectionniste !

[@lessthantom2]

Les grossman was an amazing side character but idk if I’d want to see a whole movie revolving around him. When you have these over the top, wacky characters often they work best in small parts.

[@heathb4319]

Indeed. While he should definitely appear here and there... It would take a lot of talent to write a full movie on this character and keep it interesting and not let it get caught in a rut of character.

[@77jesseday]

yeah but TC isn't doing a movie with a weak script. Which is probably why it never happened.

[@bararobberbaron859]

Like Melissa Mccarthy, she can be funny but a whole movie with her and I want to shoot myself.

[@Dranomoly]

That movie was great on so many levels, however the movie is not the same without Les Grossman. I didn't know Tom was in the movie until the movie started, I saw Les and I immediately knew it was him, his performance was amazing. As the credits rolled I heard SEVERAL people surprised when they learned Les Grossman was Tom Cruise. Speaks to how great it all was.

[@t0mn8r35]

His best role by far. I am still killing myself laughing whenever I see this wonderful performance. Definitely made this movie an instant classic. A very underrated actor IMO.

[@Snerual1992]

I don't think it's sad we don't live in the quirky Tom Cruise universe. I think this role is what it is because it's the guy we wouldn't expect this from. It's possible that if he were a comedic and quirky actor, this role wouldn't have nearly been as stand-out and iconic. Also, would we have had Mission Impossibles in that universe? Or A Few Good Men?

[@Pixiemaniac]

I agree, the reveal that the character was played by Tom cruise was mind-blowing and so unexpected. I would have never imagined him acting such a role and boy he did go all out and left no crumbs.

[@KaiserM3]

It was great because he no played the character as a serious guy but very very nasty, I mean he is a fantastic actor, you couldn't expect less, Adam Sandler would just scream like crazy all the time in this character or would be sarcastic, Tom.was just so serious in the way his character believed what was saying that it was very funny.

[@obstinateweirdo2401]

This argument would be stronger if most of the audience had known it was Cruise playing the part. But they didn't. Cruise can do comedy. That's all:)

[@96GEM]

Everyone talks about Rob Downey Jr’s performance but no one talks about Tom Cruise’s performance

[@Barrythebarnabas]

Nothing needs to be said about Les Grossman

[@breveth]

I agree. Both of the actors made you forget who they were they really were. I legit kept forgetting Robert Downy Jr. wasn't black. And I'm black!

[@ChrlzMaraz]

At the time I didn't know who RDJ was and legit thought it was just a a black actor and then a different white actor @@breveth

[@Erasureeraser]

RDJ's role is way more controversial than Cruise's, of course people will talk about Downey's performance mofe

[@Erasureeraser]

@@breveth I didn't even know that was RDJ till about halfway through the movie so I can't be offended since he played the black guy so flawlessly. Convincing as hell 😂

[@MBlacklaw]

Even though his voice is distinctive, I didn't realize it was Cruise until the 3rd or 4th time he appeared. I still watch the credit dance when I need a laugh. Never gets old!

[@elodvezer1790]

4:38 - thats some great insight.... I mean as a layman in movie making etc., Great call..... I cannot forget this character and is the FKN best

[@DouglasBurton]

That was a great character and I think we got just enough of him. Anymore and it would have gotten tiring, Cruise was right though Grossman was a great force to create pressure on all the other characters and give them reason to go so hard in such crazy situations. If Grossman cameoed in some other movie that would be amazing, so I don't want a whole Grossman movie but more surprise appearances would be cool.

[@jsnike91]

I remember buying TT in the summer of 2009 on dvd when blockbuster was going out of business. They had DVDs 5 for $20 and TT was one of the movies I picked up, but I had never seen it. Watched it and it’s still one of my favorite comedies of all time. But when I saw les, I kept thinking “who is this?” Cause he was so damn hilarious. I was honestly shocked it was cruise cause I honestly didn’t care for him much as an actor. But him as Les in the movie is so iconic and was cool to learn that he created the entire character.

[@Meatball2022]

4:08 that’s me. During the whole stinking movie I kept saying “he looks so familiar”

[@spunkyd99]

Same here. I kept saying “I feel like I’ve seen this guy before, but where?…” I think it took me until about 3/4 through the movie, I recognized it was Tom Cruise by his voice and those intense eyes. It was a real 🤯 moment.

[@shawn576]

It's so silly that they made him wear a fat suit and a bald cap. He looks goofy but the performance is so well done.

[@wrlord]

1:20 whoa - Cruise without his muscles!

[@jdnelms62]

I never laughed so hard at a movie than I did at Tropic Thunder. Fifteen years later, it’s still hilarious.

[@temjiu9915]

I was never a fan of Cruise in his personal life, but his acting skills continue to amaze me. I have yet to see him in a role he did not slam dunk. Honestly, he's a prodigy, though I hear he can be difficult to work with.

[@sinking1902]

He is a phenomenal actor!

[@mikesixx7655]

He's a perfectionist and he demands from others what he demands from himself. Other than that he's actually one of the nicest guys in Hollywood he genuinely cares about his people and their day to day lives. He is known for spending time with the crew and actually wanting to know what they are doing in their lives

[@mikesixx7655]

@@jaysonb.6669 lmao run along kid

[@RickF7666]

I don't think I would go see a Les Grossman movie, but I do think he would be a good character to return to as a supporting character. Someone like that works best in small doses.

[@serendipityshopnyc]

I only own a few dozen movies on DVD, about two shelves' worth. Tropic Thunder is one of them, shelved alongside Galaxy Quest, Kung Fu Hustle, and Chicken Run, all absolute classics of parody/meta humor that both pay tribute to and rise to the top of their respective genres. I had not heard the rumors and did not recognize Cruise until the closing credits. Amazing job. But no, we don't need a movie of Grossman as the lead character. It'd probably be too much.

[@filmography3930]

OMG GALAXY QUEST! ❤ U GAT DA GOOD TASTE OF MOVIE WATCHING

[@ShaneTheViking]

Les Grossman was a wonderful little gem that was not asked for or expected, and we are glad to have been surprised and will love it forever. Do not screw this up with a Les Grossman movie. Let it be the perfect little moment it was, and leave it be.

[@EzRida04]

One of my favourite comedies of all time! A supremely good film!

[@bhbluebird]

Cruise is a talented, versatile actor who also happens to be an action star. I think The hilarious dark humor of the Grossman scenes was Cruise's of saying FU to some parts of Hollywood.

[@superdave3093]

Tropic Thunder was so brilliant in its absurdity! Such a wild, good movie that pulled no punches and didn’t try to “please” any demographic, narrative, or position. It was just a balls to the walls comedy flick with great acting and goofiness at every turn. 😊 If they tried making it today some whiny bitches on Twitter (X) or somewhere else would complain and get it pulled somehow. Glad this film is still available. 👊👊👊🇺🇸

[@stephengrigg5988]

5:16 I understand the weird front tooth he used to have a little bit better. Toms teeth were crazy when he was young

[@SpaceMissile]

4:00 - Can confirm; I watched this (absolute _gem_ of a) movie in 2022 and did not realize it was Cruise.

[@user-ly2yh4ud3f]

0:14 Correction: He didn't orchestrate it, he just convinced Ben's manager to leave Ben to his fate as the ransom demand was too large.

[@DavidHRyall]

If you ever saw Magnolia, you'd know that this character was very possible for cruise. Both movies he was brilliant in!

[@theylied1776]

He was nominated for best supporting actor for that role. So, hell yeah he deserves to make a Les Grossman movie

[@ArchieStiglitz]

What are you talking about? No he wasn't. RDJ was.

[@RileyShaw-ry7xz]

@@ArchieStiglitz Robert was at the Oscars but Tom was at the Golden Globes. Both lost to Heath Ledger for “The Dark Knight.”

[@heathb4319]

What does your screen name mean? Who lied and why 1776?

[@theylied1776]

@@heathb4319 The Declaration of Independence: July 4th, 1776 "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.". But they refused to free their own slaves....

[@heathb4319]

@@theylied1776 ...oh you are one of those. Ok then...so if you take a world wide issue such as slavery and then decide to free a country of bad ideas and also free others...do you think that will happen over night. There is not one country or race on earth that hasn't been slave to another. However...America was the first one to really implement the idea and put it in writing. We even had a civil war that was in part to free the slaves and set this country on the right path. No one lied...it takes time to change the world. But now lets get you to focus on modern slavery also known as human trafficking. over 44 billion a year...and yet you are worried about something that is already solved. Get real dude, This country fought to be free of oppressive governments and tyrants. TWICE But now with ignorance and delusion here we are again facing BS divisive issues to keep us fighting each other instead of the problem. The Constitution and Bill of Rights isn't wrong and the forefathers didn't lie. But WE have been under attack for a long time by the ones that wish those ideas on the rest of us. Get real. Oh...and did you ever think that the ones trying to free them also bought them to keep them safe until the world was better. Nope...cuzz you aint that smart. Useless American. Find something else worthwhile to complain about. And republicans made it happen...NOT the democrats. And that is REAL history. But you wont vote for DT but most likely some blue loser that is part of the system you hate.

[@gerrob6222]

Grossman cannot be stopped

[@dakotasmith9873]

I've never been a fan of Tom Cruise, but I really like Edge of Tomorrow and Les Grossman

[@jarabito001]

He is only reason why I watched Tropic Thunder three times already

[@ChineduOpara]

Let's continue to enjoy it, because such a movie could NOT be made in today's age 😅

[@ComedyBros5]

Okay, let’s pretend that RDJ didn’t absolutely rock his role

[@ChineduOpara]

@ComedyBros5 He did. Multiple people did amazing in this movie. One performance doesn't negate the others 😅

[@jimmyryan5880]

I want to see a Cornetto trilogy where Les is the Cornetto. 2 more stories set in the movie industry where Les crews people out over video call at some point.

[@MADGUNSMONSTER]

We should all appreciate 'Tropic Thunder', as a film like that can't be made in today's environment. Not to mention that it was HILARIOUS.

[@christopherbowers7236]

People always seem to say that, but its not like it wasnt fucked up at the time either lol

[@MADGUNSMONSTER]

@@christopherbowers7236 It was, of course, but moving ahead we now are populated by snowflakes, the 'Twitterati' and 'agenda hounds', who make issues just because.

[@thezoid.withfreaky6204]

Looks like Les Grossman is the only time Hollywood refused to let Tom Cruise run in a movie

[@babyfaceaviator7862]

I would watch a Les Grossman spin-off movie with Zoolander 1 vibes conspiracy vibes

[@giannisksanthopoulos4300]

Thas why Tom Cruise is one of the best actors in Hollywood. He can impress you every time with many different roles. Lets be honest, he is unique actor

[@robj362]

You have to remember where Tom Cruise was at this point in his career. This was shortly after the Oprah couch incident, and his prominent role in scientology coming to light. He showed he could laugh at himself while also killing the scenes he was in with Les

[@deerlord2363]

It was also at the time when he lost his multi-million deal with Paramount, so he came up with the idea of Les Grossman just for mocking Hollywood producers. Grossman is a cross between producers Joel Silver and Scott Rudin.

[@Erasureeraser]

@@deerlord2363 His multi million deal with Paramount wasn't including this movie. He did this movie in favour of Ben who's of course a good friend of him instead of having a contract with Paramount. And also, other than Rudin, he also mocked Harvey Weinstein based on the look itself

[@mcgrud]

For the algorithm. ✊

[@angobando]

Cruise and that black actor that played a guy who survived - they were the diamonds of the cast.

[@conflectiz]

He did not just accept this role, he created it and created this character.

[@hank_430]

An exclusively Grossman movie would be a failure. He's a character that moved the plot where it needed to go in an enjoyable way, i.e. we ENJOYED HATING him, and for someone who's not a fan of Cruise, it's my favorite performance of his because it's genuinely how I view that actor lmao. They needed someone to come in and play a dick, and Tom can do that in his sleep bahaha

[@YodaOnABender]

Finally a smart person. I don’t understand why people think that every remotely good character needs their own movie/show

[@diamondleo5136]

While I may not admire Tom Cruise personally, there's no denying that he is an exceptional actor.

[@ExMachina70]

03:41 I wonder what the hell was going through Matthew McConaugheys mind when this scene was going on. 😂😂

[@1984WillC]

This just shows how great Tom Cruise is. The last MEGA star. No one will ever be bigger than Tom Cruise.

[@gm2407]

He absolutely nailed it.

[@Saabspeedmaniac2k6]

I have never kept up with media so when I saw tropic thunder for the first time I was like "wait, is that Tom Cruise?!". That scene when he has the stage hand punch the director then give a satisfied grunt. I laughed so hard. Tom helping add the character really helped tie it together. All the actors and writing was great. A very quotable movie

[@llYossarian]

0:55 - I understand now but as someone who grew up in the 80's/90's, the phrase, _"Typically more dramatic stars like Robert Downey Jr. and Mathew McConaughey"_ was kind of difficult to process for a second...

[@pvang9]

Great commentary 😂

[@BigRamifications]

@ 2:33 That was literally the most UN-LITERALLY way to describe what happened

[@fnubb]

Tom Cruise's performance in this one is one of the foremost reasons why I keep getting back to this movie again and again. His Les Grossman is up there with Andrew Dice Clay's Ford Fairlane and Andy Kaufman's Tony Clifton characters. Sheer brilliance in every aspect, and I just love it. I've always liked Tom's work, he IS a great actor when he puts his mind to it, but Les Grossman is a stroke of true genius. My hat off to him and much respect for giving us an unforgettable experience. Small as it might be, seeing as the character only appear now and then in just the one movie, it nevertheless is indeed larger than life and a performance of a lifetime.

[@mrnotnomis]

I steal that "BINDING UN RESOLUTION" line all the time. Like when my kids cross a line. Truly iconic character from an actor that helps weave the the timeline of my life.

[@roosterqmoney]

Yeah les Grossman needs to be a cameo character in multiple other movies. Not a lead character

[@seanyoung3864]

2008 has got to be one of the best years for movies of all time. The Dark Knight, Tropic Thunder, Iron Man, Cloverfield, Wall-E, and Step Brothers just to name a few.

[@UATU.]

Tom Cruise / Les Grossman is the only thing I dislike about TT. Skipping his scenes doesn’t detract from the film, but I think you softened my hatred a bit.

[@XOPOIIIO]

I wonder what was the director's thinking process when he considered Tom on this role?

[@lazyliam7402]

I am so glad I never saw any spoilers about Tom being in this movie. because I had such a fantastic surprise when I finally realised who it was. was so excited seeing it was him which then made me enjoy the hilarity of that character even more.