Jon Hamm says Tom Cruise supported and 'took care' of younger actors during 'Top Gun: Maverick' filming
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Top Gun: Maverick' was among the biggest blockbusters in 2022, capturing the hearts of audiences with its nostalgic charm and captivating new cast. The film's success can be attributed, in no small part, to the unwavering dedication of its star, Tom Cruise. Jon Hamm, known for his role in 'Mad Men' recently shared his experience working on the film and highlighted Cruise's exceptional treatment of the younger actors.
In a candid conversation with comedian Bill Maher on the 'Club Random' podcast, Hamm, 52, recounted the moment Cruise, 60, reached out to him after he agreed to join the project. Hamm fondly recalled, "I remember when I said yes to [Top Gun: Maverick] I got a call very soon after that saying, ‘I can’t wait to make this movie with you.’ And I had like, three scenes in this movie, but he still reached out and said you know, ‘I can’t wait to do it.’ … I loved every minute of it."
'He curates an experience that is [perfect]'
Hamm said, "There was nothing on set that Tom doesn’t want there. And it is what he does so well. He curates an experience that is [perfect]. … The experience was as advertised. You just, you saw it in person, you knew it was going to be magnified on the screen and everything about that experience was – I watched him, because I had my part to play but I wasn’t producing the film, I had nothing to do other than show up, know my lines, look good in a suit."
'I’ll do something that will kind of take your legs out of you'
Hamm was particularly impressed by Cruise's openness to working with younger actors, stating that contrary to the dismissive attitudes some veteran stars may have toward emerging talent, the actor was supportive and collaborative. "I watched how he took care of all the younger actors and was very aware that for a lot of them this was their first movie, certainly their first major motion picture, and I was like, ‘Man I’ve definitely seen the other version of that,'" Hamm said.
(Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)
"Where it’s like, ‘F**k you, figure it out or I’ll do something that will kind of take your legs out of you.’ But he’s not that guy," Hamm continued, adding that working as a new actor on a massive project like 'Top Gun: Maverick' could be an intimidating experience.