LAS VEGAS – CinemaCon attendees witnessed Tom Cruise begin his presentation Thursday with a heartfelt homage to Val Kilmer, his co-star from "Top Gun," who passed away earlier in the week.
Addressing the theater owners, Cruise expressed, "He cherished films and enriched us all with his performances. I can’t adequately convey my admiration for his work and the depth of my respect for him as an individual. I am profoundly grateful and honored that he was part of ‘Top Gun’ and returned for ‘Top Gun: Maverick.’"
Cruise then requested a moment of silence, a stark contrast to the high-energy showcase of Paramount Pictures' upcoming releases that followed.
"Thank you, Val. I wish you well on your next journey," Cruise concluded, addressing the hushed audience.
Cruise was present to promote "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning," the franchise's eighth installment, slated for release on May 23.
As a prominent figure whose presence often guarantees box office success, Cruise is a favorite at CinemaCon, where studios aim to impress theater owners and entice audiences to return to cinemas.
While most celebrity appearances are brief, Cruise delivered a sincere tribute to Christopher McQuarrie—or “McQ,” as Cruise calls him—who was recognized as CinemaCon’s director of the year.
The speech and subsequent acknowledgments extended for nearly 20 minutes before a new trailer was unveiled.
Cruise detailed his admiration for McQuarrie's career, particularly after McQuarrie won an Oscar at 26 for "The Usual Suspects."
“At an age when most are still discovering their voice, McQ had already crafted a film that redefined cinema,” Cruise remarked.
The two first collaborated on “Valkyrie,” a World War II drama from 2008 co-written by McQuarrie. “We spent hours discussing movies in my screening room, and from that moment, I knew I would collaborate with him for life. He is a creative soulmate who shares my passion for cinema,” Cruise shared.
McQuarrie began directing the “Mission Impossible” series with “Rogue Nation,” its fifth installment. Cruise recalled the challenges during the production of the latest two films, including pandemic-related lockdowns and Hollywood strikes, and credited McQuarrie for his pivotal role in completing the films.
Cruise said, “His efforts weren’t for personal recognition but out of a true sense of responsibility to our industry.”
The forthcoming film was the main attraction in Paramount's lineup. The presentation began with motorcyclists soaring off ramps amid smoke effects, then navigating through the aisles as the iconic theme song played.
McQuarrie humorously remarked to Cruise upon receiving the award, “It’s been an honor to work with you, learn from you, and put you in harm’s way for entertainment.”
Although Paramount’s other ventures might not match the box office appeal of "Mission Impossible," the studio showcased several films designed for the big screen experience.
Notably, they teased Edgar Wright's "The Running Man," a thriller based on the Stephen King novel. Actors Glen Powell, Colman Domingo, and Josh Brolin joined Wright to introduce the first glimpses of the film.
Powell commented, “Now, more than ever, we need movies in theaters that unite people from all backgrounds through entertainment,” adding anecdotes about his commitment to thrilling audiences, seemingly inspired by Cruise's stunt work.
The studio also presented new footage from the reboot of "The Naked Gun," starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson. Channing Tatum introduced clips from "Roofman," a crime thriller based on a true story of a prison escape.
Animated projects such as "Smurfs," featuring Rihanna, and "The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants," due in theaters in December, were also highlighted.
Mark Hamill, who stars as The Flying Dutchman in the latter, joked about his return to SpongeBob after 18 years since his previous role in the fifth season.
Paramount Pictures CEO Brian Robbins presented an optimistic view of the studio, while acknowledging its merger with Skydance last year.
“I’m incredibly proud of our accomplishments at Paramount Pictures amidst the challenges at our parent company,” Robbins stated.