Tom Cruise's interests were tightly bound to Paramount. Even without the release of "Miscreant", the "Mission: Impossible" series was a hurdle that couldn't be avoided.
Despite the public feuds and declarations of never working together again, "Mission: Impossible 6" still came out, didn't it?
It was merely due to uneven profit distribution. However, it was far from the point of falling out. Touching Tom was akin to touching Paramount's cake.
Naturally, they wouldn't agree. Who didn't have their own resources and methods?
In the conference room, Sherry Lansing didn't want to dig out who the mastermind behind this was. After all, it was likely just a few competitors. It was either Universal or Warner Bros., or perhaps both.
After all, the film market was only so big. If one was successful, others would naturally be envious. It was simple logic.
"Andrew, your publicity department needs to take action immediately. Warn those tabloids, and if necessary, involve the courts."
Although success in a lawsuit was uncertain, just engaging lawyers and receiving court summons could rattle them.
"Also, continue finding people to write articles promoting the film and collaborate with television stations. Have them interview fans on site and spread the real voice of the audience to the public."
Paramount wasn't just a simple film company. Backed by Viacom, like Universal was backed by Comcast Corporation, they had sufficiently broad media channels. They could easily send out a resounding message across the whole of America.
"Pass the message to Tom, tell him to be cautious during the promotional tour." After giving her instructions, Sherry left the conference room first.
...
On the other side, Tom, one of the involved parties, had just concluded a promotional event and was resting in his RV. He received a call from his agent, Pat Kingsley.
After hanging up, he instructed his assistant to buy a few newspapers from a nearby newsstand.
After reading through the successive reports, the words felt like stabs that caused him physical and mental pain.
He could imagine how people outside were making fun of him. This situation had even disrupted his usually composed demeanor. His anger surged uncontrollably, and he felt as though his whole being was being consumed by the flames of fury.
"Fuck..."
He fiercely pounded the seat in front of him and immediately said, "Tell Lyman and the others about the afternoon event. I have something to attend to, so I won't be going. Also, immediately contact the PR company, spend money to get those people to divert the public's attention."
After instructing his assistant, his expression remained as dark as if he could drip water from it.
...
Late at night, around one in the morning.
Lyman woke up from the hotel bed.
He couldn't sleep.
Today's events were so tumultuous that even Tom had been absent from the promotional event. The sudden influx of negative news left him unusually irritable.
He wondered, is competition really just competition? If you can't win, is backstabbing behind the scenes the right thing to do?
This wasn't the first time they'd made him sick. During the release of "Fury", there were talks about Brad Pitt's rejection. Fortunately, Pitt and Tom had no real conflicts, or else not only would their relationship be strained, but their fans might even engage in a public feud.
It was truly despicable.
Walking barefoot to the living room, he sat down on the couch and casually grabbed a can of beer, opened it, and took a sip.
The alcohol flowed down his throat, offering a cooling sensation to his heated heart.
Regarding these rumors, dealing with the baseless and exaggerated stories in the tabloids was easy; they could release statements and clear things up with a bit of publicity. However, the issue with Scientology was a bit more complicated.
In later years, news of this issue had been published countless times. Tom hadn't quit either. In fact, he had become their "global ambassador."
If you said he was naive or brainwashed, it wasn't possible.
If Tom were truly foolish, could he have maintained his A-list status in Hollywood for so many years?
Could he still work with Warner Bros. after the fallout with Paramount and still have his films succeed?
As for why Scientology wasn't recognized by people, didn't they say the United States was a "land of freedom" that encouraged religious liberty?
In truth, besides issues with the doctrine itself, it was because back when Scientology was founded in 1967, during the time they were recruiting followers, they would throw disobedient members into the sea from their ships.
This action directly led to most European countries banning them.
Later, somehow, they managed to take root and flourish in the United States and established close ties with Hollywood's film industry at the time.
The entertainment industry was already rife with temptations and illusions, and Scientology was skilled in using the art of persuasion through its pyramid schemes. They bought a building in Hollywood named the "Celebrity Centre" to help stars deal with their troubles and alleviate their stress.
It might sound mysterious, but essentially, it was a way to offer an outlet for stars' high pressure and give them a discreet place to vent.
During that time, Elvis Presley's wife, Priscilla Presley, and actor John Travolta, who appeared in "Pulp Fiction", both became their followers.
Tom's first encounter with Scientology was even more unexpected. It was due to his first wife, Mimi Rogers, being a follower. That was how he got introduced.
His subsequent involvement was due to Tom having suffered from dyslexia since childhood. Somehow, the leader of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard, cured him. To show his gratitude, Tom became a follower.
The rumors in the tabloids about his marriages and being a "double plug" could be dismissed. However, there was a Scientology influence in his divorces. For example, Nicole Kidman had ridiculed the doctrine in public more than once, and Penelope Cruz, Tom's girlfriend at the time, had firmly refused to join Scientology during the height of their relationship, which led to their breakup.
Troublesome, Lyman thought and took another sip of beer.
When the parties involved themselves didn't even want it, how could things be resolved?
Shifting the public's attention was just the lowest form of counterattack, yet at this moment, it seemed so fitting.
Somehow, Lyman suddenly thought of Eva.
"I wonder what she's doing."
With this thought, he picked up his phone from the bedside table, found her number, and typed a message, "What are you doing now?"
After sending it, just as he was about to put his phone down, it received a response.
"I'm doing promotion in France. When are you coming over?"
"It should take a while. Things haven't been settled yet."
"Oh, did you message me for something?"
"No, I just missed you. Good night."
In a hotel room in Marseille, France, Eva smiled sweetly, put down her phone, and rested.