OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion. In a rare, candid display of admiration, Tom Cruise has given Ana de Armas’ action thriller Ballerina his enthusiastic seal of approval, fueling rumors that the two Oscar nominees are set to become Hollywood’s next power pair—both on and off the screen. Cruise, 62, made headlines during the London premiere of his latest blockbuster, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, when he gushed about de Armas’ starring role in the much-anticipated John Wick spinoff. Standing with Spanish producer Javier Ibarreche, Cruise flashed a trademark grin and declared in a video that quickly went viral, “I just saw the movie—it kicks ass.” His praise for de Armas wasn’t the only headline-worthy moment. Cruise, always a student of the action genre, also took time to hype Brad Pitt’s upcoming Formula 1 film F1, calling it “a fun movie,” as he applauded the film’s high-octane energy and Pitt’s return to the adrenaline-filled screen. But it’s Cruise and de Armas’ blossoming professional relationship that has truly set the rumor mill ablaze. Since first being spotted together at a London dinner in February—reportedly discussing upcoming projects with their agents—the pair have been nearly inseparable in the public eye. From late-night dinners to casual park strolls in London, including a walk on de Armas’ 37th birthday, and even leaving David Beckham’s star-studded 50th birthday bash in the same car, Cruise and de Armas are giving fans and industry insiders plenty to talk about. During a recent interview on Good Morning America, de Armas confirmed the buzz, revealing that she and Cruise are indeed teaming up—not for just one, but several projects. “We’re definitely working on a lot of things. Not just one but a few projects with Doug Liman and Christopher McQuarrie and, of course, Tom. And I’m so excited,” de Armas told host Michael Strahan. Liman, known for directing Cruise in Edge of Tomorrow and American Made, and McQuarrie, Cruise’s creative partner throughout the Mission: Impossible series, are set to join the duo for these highly secretive new ventures. The collaboration between Cruise and de Armas seems like a natural evolution for both stars. Cruise’s legendary status as a stunt maestro and action icon finds an intriguing counterpoint in de Armas, whose physical commitment and rising star power have turned heads in No Time to Die and now, Ballerina. Industry insiders believe their combined energy could inject fresh life into the action genre. While their off-screen chemistry has yet to be confirmed as anything more than creative synergy, their visible camaraderie—shared laughs, easy conversation, and mutual admiration—has social media abuzz. Fans speculate about possible romance, but for now, the focus is on their shared love of high-stakes storytelling and adrenaline-fueled filmmaking. With Ballerina set to hit theaters June 4 and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning premiering May 23, Hollywood is bracing itself for a double shot of box office excitement—and perhaps the birth of a new action dream team. As Cruise puts it, “It kicks ass”—and so, it seems, does their partnership.
