Hollywood star Tom Cruise graces the cover of the October issue of GQ magazine, featuring a rare shot that reveals his abs. In an accompanying interview, he discusses his passion for cinema and describes himself as an “intense” person.
Returning to the GQ cover after a 20-year hiatus, Cruise discusses how he interacts with fellow actors on set, noting that he always strives to understand their perspectives and goals before filming begins.
He says, “I always think, ‘Listen, understand before you act. Don’t just work with people—know who they are. What kind of people are they? What do they want to do?'”
Cruise admits that the intensity with which he immerses himself in a role can sometimes surprise his co-stars, but he is upfront about his objectives and holds his collaborators to high standards. “I’m very candid,” he says. “It’s not that we don’t have a plan—we have a script, we have a plan, and we proceed step-by-step. But I also feel a sense of responsibility toward everyone.”
Cruise’s hyper-enthusiastic nature is evident in his filmography; his movies often feature him riding motorcycles off cliffs before deploying a parachute, or clinging to the exterior of various aircraft.
Reflecting on this, Cruise says, “I’ve always viewed life as an adventure—it’s always been that way.”