A recent behind-the-scenes photo of Tom Cruise and Aussie entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins has gone viral for an unexpected reason — and it has nothing to do with the Mission: Impossible film they were promoting.
The Buzz Over a Simple Snapshot
As fans eagerly count down the days until Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning hits theaters, the excitement is palpable. The film premiered in Tokyo earlier this May and is set to land in U.S. theaters on May 23. Early reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, so it’s shaping up to be a big year for the 62-year-old Cruise. But could something derail the buzz?
It seems the answer may be yes — and it’s all due to a recent photo snapped at a press event in London.
The Height Difference That Had Fans Talking
In the image, Cruise is seen alongside 70-year-old Wilkins, just after an interview. At first glance, it looks like a standard celebrity photo. But zoom in, and fans quickly noticed a striking detail: the height difference between the two men.
Wilkins, who stands at 6’2″ (1.88m), towers over Cruise, who is widely reported to be around 5’6″ (1.7m). The contrast was so dramatic that fans couldn’t help but comment.
Wilkins shared the image on Instagram, captioning it: “Always great catching up with the incredible @tomcruise.” He went on to praise the upcoming film, calling it “bigger, faster, higher, deeper,” and also complimented Cruise’s work ethic, adding, “He keeps raising the bar… and then jumping over it.”
But fans were more focused on the visual contrast than the rave reviews. Some pointed out that Wilkins was slightly closer to the camera, while others were less subtle.
One user quipped, “Tom looks like he just popped out of a Kinder Surprise egg,” while another joked, “I know he’s not the tallest, but this photo seems off — like it’s been warped or something.” A third added, “There’s no way Cruise likes this photo floating around.”
Beyond the Height Drama: Cruise Opens Up About His Stunts
Once the dust settled over the photo, conversation shifted to Cruise’s legendary stunt work. Wilkins asked him about the first stunt he ever attempted. Rather than mentioning his iconic sock slide from Risky Business, Cruise revealed something even more daring.
“I think it started when I was about three,” Cruise said, grinning. “I used to climb out of windows and onto the roof at night just to look at the stars. It’s just always been a part of me.”
When asked whether fear ever creeps in during those high-risk action scenes, Cruise was candid but fearless.
“It’s not that I don’t feel fear,” he admitted. “I just don’t let it stop me. I don’t mind being scared — it pushes me.”
Looks like Cruise’s fearlessness is as legendary as his on-screen stunts!
As for the movie itself? It’s a blockbuster in the making.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning comes with a jaw-dropping $400 million budget — and from the early reactions, it looks like every cent is up on the screen.
Critics are already buzzing:
- “An absolute adrenaline rush,” raved Anthony Gagliardi. “Cruise proves once again that he’s the king of cinematic spectacle.”
- Erik Davis of Fandango called it “the wildest and most consequential Mission movie to date.”
- And critic Dave Baldwin pulled no punches, calling it “pulse-pounding, gasp-inducing, and wildly entertaining.”
One thing’s certain: whether he’s defying gravity in a death-defying stunt, lighting up the red carpet, or going viral for a candid photo — Tom Cruise continues to command attention like few stars can.
Even when he’s not the tallest guy in the frame, he’s still the biggest presence in the room.