Tom Cruise’s Forgotten US-Soviet Film: The Story Behind the Scenes

Back in the late 1980s, Tom Cruise made a surprising move that caught many off guard. Known for his on-screen dogfights with Soviet jets in Top Gun, Cruise took a private trip to Moscow in 1987, aiming to spark a creative partnership between American and Soviet filmmakers. The visit, which included meetings with US diplomats and Soviet directors, was a bold attempt at cinematic diplomacy during a tense era.

Hollywood Meets Moscow: Cruise’s 1987 Adventure

During his Moscow stay, Cruise didn’t just sign autographs and pose for photos. He sat down with Eldar Ryazanov, a well-known Soviet director, at Mosfilm studios to chat about possible collaborations. Cruise, accompanied by his then-wife Mimi Rogers, also took in the sights, from the Bolshoi Theatre to the Russian countryside. The trip was carefully managed, with the KGB reportedly handling the logistics to ensure everything ran smoothly.

Despite the enthusiasm, the project never got off the ground. There was no script, no official announcement, and no film in the end. The reasons were likely a mix of Cold War politics, strict censorship, funding headaches, and creative disagreements. Cruise soon shifted his focus back to Hollywood, where he would later launch the Mission: Impossible series in the early 1990s. Still, the story of his Moscow adventure remains a curious footnote in his career, hinting at his later interest in ambitious, boundary-pushing projects.

Space Film Stalled: Politics and Red Tape

Fast forward to recent years, and Cruise found himself facing similar hurdles with another ambitious idea—a film shot in outer space. Teaming up with Doug Liman, the director behind Edge of Tomorrow, Cruise planned to make history by filming beyond Earth’s atmosphere. The project, which had backing from NASA and a nod from Elon Musk, was set to be a milestone for cinema.

But things didn’t go to plan. The production hit a wall due to complex logistics, insurance issues, and the need for government approval. One insider put it bluntly:

From what I understand, they would need NASA coordination to do the movie, and supposedly Tom Cruise did not want to ask Donald Trump for a favour. You’d need permission from the federal government.

With political timing working against them, the project was put on ice. Liman had hoped to create a film that would stand the test of time, but for now, the dream of shooting in space remains just that—a dream.

What’s Next for Cruise: Upcoming Projects

Even with these setbacks, Cruise isn’t slowing down. He’s got a packed slate of films lined up for the next couple of years. Among them is Digger, a black comedy directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, set for release in October 2026. There’s also talk of a sequel to Edge of Tomorrow, with Emily Blunt expected to return, and a third Top Gun film in development. Other projects, like a follow-up to Days of Thunder and a WWII drama called Broadsword, are also in the works, though some have been delayed or are still in early stages.

While the much-hyped space film is still grounded, fans can look forward to a string of new releases in 2026 and 2027. Whether Cruise will ever make it to orbit remains to be seen, but for now, his focus is firmly on delivering more action-packed stories for punters everywhere.