Cruise and Spielberg Reunion Could Spark War of Worlds Sequel
After two decades of silence, Hollywood's most famous director-star feud appears to be over. Their reconciliation opens doors to revisiting one of their most successful collaborations.
The professional relationship between two Hollywood heavyweights collapsed spectacularly after their 2005 collaboration. Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg had previously created magic together with Minority Report and War of the Worlds. The latter adaptation of H.G. Wells's classic novel became a massive hit, pulling in $603 mn worldwide.
Audiences loved the updated action sequences and modern special effects. Critics praised the film's intense atmosphere and visual storytelling. Fans expected more collaborations between the superstar actor and legendary director.
That partnership ended abruptly. Cruise's controversial behavior during the film's promotional campaign created serious tension. His infamous couch-jumping incident on The Oprah Winfrey Show raised eyebrows across the industry. His heated argument with Matt Lauer about psychiatric medication and Brooke Shields made headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Spielberg reportedly felt frustrated that these publicity stunts overshadowed their movie's release. The situation worsened when Spielberg praised a psychiatrist who had helped his family member while Cruise was present. Scientologists later protested outside that doctor's office, creating an even bigger rift between the two men.
Hollywood Heavyweights Make Peace
Fast forward to 2023. The Oscar nominees luncheon became the stage for an unexpected reconciliation. Spielberg publicly praised Cruise and his Top Gun: Maverick success story. His exact words carried significant weight: "You saved Hollywood's ass and you might have saved theatrical distribution."
Cruise visibly blushed as Spielberg continued his praise. "Seriously, 'Top Gun: Maverick' might have saved the entire theatrical industry," the director added. This public display of mutual respect signaled the end of their long-standing feud.
Perfect Source Material Already Exists
Their potential reunion project might already have a blueprint. Stephen Baxter wrote The Massacre of Mankind in 2017, serving as the official sequel to Wells's original novel. The story takes place 14 years after the first Martian invasion, focusing on a second alien attack.
While Baxter's book features a different protagonist, Spielberg's modern adaptation could easily bring back Cruise's character. Dakota Fanning, now an adult, could return in a major role. The original cast included Miranda Otto and Tim Robbins alongside Cruise as a dock worker protecting his children during the alien invasion.
Mixed Reception Despite Box Office Success
War of the Worlds earned impressive ticket sales but struggled with audience approval. Rotten Tomatoes shows a 76% critic score versus just 42% audience rating. This represents one of Spielberg's lowest audience scores ever.
The film's imagery reminded many viewers of the September 11 attacks. Dusty skies, collapsing buildings, and panicked crowds felt too close to recent trauma. Cruise's flawed father character didn't connect with all viewers. The happy ending felt forced after the movie's high-stakes tension.
Critics recognized the technical achievements. The film received Oscar nominations for Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Sound Editing. Spielberg himself admitted struggling with the ending, calling it his biggest challenge with the project.