Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. A decade after the dark romance of Cameron Crowe's 'Vanilla Sky,' they finally found the chance to reunite with 'Knight and Day.' Audiences already know what brand of firepower they can unleash on screen. Imagine what happens when you get them in a room together for an exclusive Personalities Interview. Join The Cruise & Diaz show, already in progress.
How do you introduce two names that are synonymous with all that is defined with being famous?
You just don’t.
Instead, you can only try and capture the choice bits of what it was like to experience an audience with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. And yes, just like in the movies, the electricity generated by those megawatt smiles in person could easily solve L.A.’s energy shortfall. But there they were, Cruise and Diaz, decidedly relaxed and cheerful on a Saturday morning in last spring. Sitting together against red-bricked walls on a non-descript sofa inside the Ben Kitay Studios in Hollywood, they talked about their new screen venture, “Knight and Day.”
Formerly known as “Wichita,” the film caused quite a stir as to exactly what kind of project had brought Cruise and Diaz together again a decade after their first teaming in Cameron Crowe’s “Vanilla Sky.” Now, that initial confusion is turning into a buzz for the gritty and glamorous action adventure that spans the world and even features a spicy dash of romance but an even greater helping of comedy. A first look at the film revealed what the trailers can only offer as a hint: this is Cruise and Diaz at their classic best.
Directed by James Mangold (“Walk the Line,” “3:10 to Yuma”), “Knight and Day” offers a post-modern twist on an evergreen concept. Said couple meet by accident at an airport in Wichita. He (Cruise as Miller) seems charming. She (Diaz as a classic car restorer named June) seems preoccupied, but after bumping into each other a second a time, June’s also more than intrigued. Once their flight takes off, they get to talking and sharing some tequila. A connection is certainly made, but something is definitely afoot with Miller. Then, the movie takes a great leap forward in terms of momentum – and genre -- when he quickly dispatches the flight crew in a furious bout of martial arts and gun play while she’s in the lavatory working up the courage to approach this handsome stranger.
The film spins into glorious chaos when June discovers a dead crew and a whole lot of questions as to who is this man that’s upset the apple cart of her life. Is he a spy—or just plain crazy?! It results in the adventure of their lives as they are plunged head first into a series of chases, crashes and globe hopping intrigue that finds the couple powering through Boston and Salzburg, and even running with the bulls in Seville, Spain before the movie’s epic finale.
“We’re playing in a genre of spy movies,” Cruise said. “This movie is just a fun lark, a romance action comedy.”
Watching the duo off-screen does offer a variation of their on-screen selves. A genuine affection exists between both actors, but it feels more like brother and sister than Nick and Nora Charles. Diaz knows her way around a great comeback line, something he takes great delight in egging her on about to help punctuate our conversation. It is rather rambunctious at times, with each actor stepping over the other’s response, sometimes ending with a loud burst of laughter.
Sometimes, Diaz, who literally just wrapped her latest comedy “Bad Teacher” earlier that morning, would sometimes sit twisting her long, blonde hair while intently listening to her co-star before jumping back into the fray. Then, it would be Cruise’s turn to gaze admiringly at his friend to pick up the dialogue thread. It all is part of the cornerstone of why audiences cheer for certain screen couples. Chemistry is just part of the equation. Like any relationship, trust and affection are tantamount.
With nearly 45 years of fame time combined, the lessons learned by both Cruise and Diaz continue to resonate today as they remain two of the most watched people in contemporary film. Here’s more with this dynamic duo as they talk about the forces that brought them together again, living out “Knight and Day” and why the power of high heels on a woman is something to be reckoned with.
JORGE CARREON: Quick! Before Tom comes back, how is “Bad Teacher going?” (Cruise had just stepped out of the room for a moment just before the interview began.)
CAMERON DIAZ: We just wrapped this morning at six AM! I feel, you know, jet lag-y. But, oh my God it’s hilarious!
CARREON: Truth? I like it when you get trashy on screen!
DIAZ: I know! I do too. It was a lot of fun
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