“Very Anti-Hollywood, but Very Tom”: Before Mission Impossible 7’s Success, Tom Cruise Won Over His ‘The Mummy’ Co-Star’s Heart for Getting Him in Shape

Published 07/17/2023, 11:30 AM EDT

Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise is currently basking in the success of the latest installment of his Mission Impossible franchise, Dead Reckoning Part One. Last year too he gave a humongous blockbuster in Top Gun: Maverick, and all his co-stars always have sweet things to say about him. Part of the reason is Tom Cruise always helps his co-stars get better, as Peter Parker aka Spiderman star Jake Johnson can attest. 6 years ago when the two of them did The Mummy together, Cruise helped Johnson insanely fit for the role. He pushed him hard during workouts and bodybuilding training sessions, but Johnson only realized that there’s probably no one in Hollywood who would’ve done the same for him besides Cruise.

Jake Johnson, Tom Cruise, Sophia Boutella, Annabelle Wallis, and Russell Crowe starred in the 2017 Action/Adventure thriller The Mummy. The part demanded that Johnson look insanely fit for the role, but he was slightly chubby before the shoot started. Cruise ground him hard, but also helped him every step of the way. Johnson is only grateful for that.

Tom Cruise’s kindness knows no bounds

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In 2017, right before The Mummy was released, Jake Johnson sat for a little chat with Emily Zemler of The Thrillist. He narrated several stories from his time shooting with Tom Cruise for the movie. But the one behind-the-scenes detail he explained, that wasn’t previously known, was how Tom Cruise really got Johnson physically ready for the role.

“Here’s a story that is very anti-Hollywood, but very Tom,” said Johnson to The Thrillist. Johnson continued, “He wanted me to work out with him and get in shape for the movie. People have told me in the past, including New Girl, that I need to lose weight and stay in shape. But they don’t tell me how. It’s like, ‘Hey tubbo, fit into these slacks!’ Tom said, ‘I really want you fit for this movie'”. Johnson revealed it was out of Cruise’s kindness that he helped him out.

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Tom Cruise is renowned for mainly two things. He does all his stunt works by himself, as he did for all his Mission Impossible movies, including Dead Reckoning, and he takes immense care of all his co-actors on the movie sets. He, therefore, had no hesitation in going the extra mile for Johnson.

Jake Johnson soon became a household celebrity after that

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Jake Johnson revealed that Cruise even planned his diet and meals for him. Not everybody will share their trainers, diet plan, and even the gym with any young actor. But then again, not everybody is Tom Cruise. Johnson also got a brush of Cruise’s kindness on offer, when he was once asked by Cruise’s assistant director not to bother the superstar while he was working out. But Cruise later made it crystal clear to Johnson that he is always welcome to work out with the Jerry Maguire star.

From that day onwards, Jake Johnson has never really forgotten the generosity and kindness Cruise offered to him. He has since gone on to star in more movies, the most remarkable of them being Spiderman Into the Spiderverse. He is recently enjoying the glory of the sequel Spiderman Across the Spiderverse, where he reprised the role of Peter Parker. His co-star Shameik Moore, who plays the protagonist, Miles Morales, is also extremely fit as his workout involves everything from CrossFit to boxing.

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Watch this story | Bodybuilding Legend Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Golden Tips for Weight Loss

However, Tom Cruise’s stories of helping out his co-stars are legendary in their own right.

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Written by:

Tanmay Roy is a sports writer at EssentiallySports specializing in his coverage of the Olympics and other major American sporting events. His passion for sports was ignited by the early achievements of Michael Phelps, Pete Sampras, and John McEnroe. As a writer for EssentiallySports, Tanmay's articles have been recognized as Editor's Picks, showcasing his ability to craft engaging and thought-provoking stories.

Edited by:

Akash Pandhare

“Very Anti-Hollywood, but Very Tom”: Before Mission Impossible 7’s Success, Tom Cruise Won Over His ‘The Mummy’ Co-Star’s Heart for Getting Him in Shape

Tom Cruise’s kindness knows no bounds

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Jake Johnson soon became a household celebrity after that