Tom Cruise and Spielberg Patch Things Up: Is a Sci-Fi Sequel on the Cards?
Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg have finally buried the hatchet after years of tension. With their feud over, fans are buzzing about the possibility of a new chapter in their iconic sci-fi collaboration.
Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg once teamed up for two major science fiction blockbusters: Minority Report and War of the Worlds. The latter, based on H.G. Wells’ classic, was the most successful adaptation to date, raking in $603 million at the box office. The film’s modern take on the alien invasion story, packed with action and special effects, won over both critics and fans of the original novel. Many punters were keen to see the pair work together again, but things didn’t quite pan out that way.
How a Public Stoush Derailed a Blockbuster Partnership
The working relationship between Cruise and Spielberg hit the skids after a string of public incidents. Cruise’s infamous couch-jumping moment on The Oprah Winfrey Show and his heated exchange with Matt Lauer over Brooke Shields’ use of psychiatric medication didn’t go down well. Spielberg, it’s said, was less than impressed when these antics overshadowed the promo for War of the Worlds.
Things got even frostier after Spielberg mentioned a psychiatrist who’d helped a family member, only for Scientologists to protest outside the doctor’s office. That move reportedly widened the rift between the two. For years, it looked like the partnership was done and dusted.
Old Mates Reunite and Fans Start Dreaming
Fast forward to 2023, and the ice finally thawed. At the Oscar nominees’ lunch, Spielberg had nothing but praise for Cruise and his work on Top Gun: Maverick.
“You saved Hollywood’s ass and you might have saved theatrical distribution.”
Cruise, a bit sheepish, copped the compliment as Spielberg doubled down:
“Seriously, ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ might have saved the entire theatrical industry.”
With the feud seemingly over, fans are now hoping the duo will get back together for another big project. There’s even talk of a sequel to their much-hyped alien invasion flick, and there’s already a book that could serve as the blueprint.
Could a Sequel Be on the Horizon?
Back in the day, Cruise was keen to work with Spielberg again after Minority Report and pitched him three ideas, one being a fresh take on The War of the Worlds. The film, Spielberg’s third go at the alien invasion theme, featured a script by Josh Friedman, later reworked by David Koepp. Cruise played a dock worker trying to keep his kids safe as chaos unfolded, with Dakota Fanning, Miranda Otto, and Tim Robbins rounding out the cast.
If the pair decide to revisit the story, they won’t have to look far for inspiration. In 2017, Stephen Baxter penned The Massacre of Mankind, the official follow-up to Wells’ original. The novel picks up 14 years after the first Martian attack, this time with a new lead character. Still, a modern adaptation could easily put Cruise back in the spotlight, and fans reckon a grown-up Dakota Fanning could play a key role.
Mixed Reactions and a Divisive Legacy
Despite its box office success, War of the Worlds didn’t exactly win over everyone. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 76% critics’ score but only a 42% audience rating—one of the lowest for a Spielberg film. While the direction, Cruise’s star power, and the terrifying aliens were praised, some locals felt the film hit too close to home, with imagery that reminded them of the 9/11 attacks. The dusty skies, collapsing buildings, and panicked crowds were a bit much for some.
Cruise’s portrayal of a flawed dad didn’t convince all viewers, and the family’s happy reunion at the end felt a bit off after all the drama. Still, the film picked up Oscar nods for Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Sound Editing. War of the Worlds is now streaming on Paramount+ and Tubi for anyone keen to revisit the chaos.