Steven Spielberg (79) Praises This Surprising Habit of Tom Cruise (63)
Steven Spielberg recently shared why Tom Cruise stands out from other actors. The director spoke about it during a talk at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas.
Spielberg has worked with Cruise on major films like Minority Report and War of the Worlds. While talking about their time on set, he pointed out one habit that impressed him the most. Cruise always made sure to arrive as early as the director, even when no one else was there yet.
Spielberg said, “Tom Cruise showed up every morning when I showed up.” He added, “On Minority Report and on War of the Worlds, Tom would insist on getting there when I got there so we would map out the whole day … which was really helpful for me.”
Their work together on War of the Worlds was a big moment in both of their careers. The film, based on a novel by H. G. Wells, follows a father trying to protect his children during an alien invasion. It starred Cruise alongside Dakota Fanning. Spielberg used detailed planning tools like storyboards to guide scenes, especially when actors had to imagine effects that were added later. The movie avoided a flashy sci-fi style and focused on a more real and grounded look. It was a major success and earned over $600 million worldwide.
Cruise has also spoken about how he approaches his work. In an interview with PEOPLE, he explained that he treats every project as a chance to learn something new. He said, “I will learn a skill, and I know eventually I’m going to use it in a movie.” This mindset has helped him stay consistent in the industry.
Both Spielberg and Cruise are still active today. Spielberg is working on a new film called Disclosure Day. Cruise is preparing for his upcoming project Digger, directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, which is expected to release in 2026.
Even with his success, Cruise continues to stay involved from the very start of each day. This simple habit shows how serious he is about his work and why directors respect him so much.
This story proves that in the end it is not just about talent, but also about effort and respect for the work.
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