Tom Cruise’s Forgotten US-Soviet Film: The Untold Story

In the late 1980s, Tom Cruise made an unexpected journey to Moscow, aiming to unite the worlds of American and Soviet cinema. The visit, which took place in 1987, saw Cruise exploring the possibility of a joint film venture between Hollywood and the USSR. For those familiar with his on-screen dogfights against Soviet aircraft, the idea of Cruise championing cinematic cooperation might seem rather surprising.

Hollywood Meets the Soviet Union

During his time in Moscow, Cruise met with American diplomats, signed autographs for admirers, and held discussions with Soviet filmmakers, including the renowned director Eldar Ryazanov at Mosfilm. The conversations centred on potential collaboration, with Cruise and his then-wife Mimi Rogers also taking in the sights of the Bolshoi Theatre and the Russian countryside. The logistics of the trip were reportedly managed by the KGB, adding a layer of intrigue to the proceedings.

Despite the enthusiasm, the project never advanced beyond initial talks. No script was drafted, nor was any official production announced. The political climate of the Cold War, combined with issues of censorship, funding, and creative disagreements, likely played a part in stalling the idea. Cruise soon returned his focus to Hollywood, where he would later launch the Mission: Impossible franchise in the early 1990s. Nevertheless, the 1987 Moscow visit remains a fascinating footnote in his career, hinting at his later interest in ambitious, boundary-pushing projects.

Space Ambitions and Political Obstacles

More recently, Cruise’s plans for a film set in outer space have also encountered setbacks. The much-talked-about project, which was to be directed by Doug Liman, has been put on hold. Cruise has reportedly steered clear of political complications, particularly those involving the need for cooperation with NASA and SpaceX. According to insiders, the production would have required government approval, and Cruise was reluctant to seek favours from then-President Donald Trump.

The space film, first announced in 2020, initially received support from NASA, with the agency’s administrator expressing hopes of inspiring future engineers. Elon Musk described the idea as “a lot of fun.” Liman, the director, spoke of his ambition to create a landmark in cinema history:

I want to make a film that people watch in a hundred years when maybe there’s hundreds of movies shot in outer space and there’s nothing special about it being in outer space.

However, practical challenges such as insurance, logistics, and the political environment have kept the project grounded for now. Cruise’s reputation for performing his own stunts and maintaining peak physical condition remains undiminished, but his spacefaring ambitions are, for the moment, on hold.

Upcoming Projects and Future Prospects

Despite these setbacks, Cruise shows no sign of slowing down. His forthcoming slate includes a variety of high-profile productions. Among them is Digger, a black comedy directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and scheduled for release in October 2026, featuring a cast that includes Sandra Hüller and John Goodman. Edge of Tomorrow 2 is also in the pipeline, with Emily Blunt expected to return and Doug Liman likely to direct. Top Gun 3 is in development, though details remain under wraps, and a sequel to Days of Thunder has been hinted at by industry insiders.

Other projects on the horizon include Broadsword, a World War II drama directed by Christopher McQuarrie, and Deeper, another collaboration with Liman, though the latter is currently paused due to budgetary concerns. There is also talk of a spin-off centred on Cruise’s Les Grossman character from Tropic Thunder. While the space film remains in limbo, audiences can look forward to a packed schedule of new releases in 2026 and 2027. Whether Cruise will eventually achieve his dream of filming in orbit remains to be seen, but his appetite for ambitious projects is as strong as ever.