In a surprising and nostalgic revelation, Tom Cruise has opened up about Nicole Kidman, his former wife and co-star, marking the first time in over two decades he has spoken publicly about her in such a personal and positive light.
His remarks were made in a recent interview with the British Film Institute’s Sight and Sound magazine, where he discussed their collaboration on Stanley Kubrick’s 1999 film Eyes Wide Shut—a psychologically complex erotic drama that was also Kubrick’s final movie before his death.
Tom Cruise Recalls Suggesting Nicole Kidman for Eyes Wide Shut
During the interview, Cruise reflected on the casting process for Eyes Wide Shut, which centered around a married couple entangled in a psychological journey involving fidelity, secrecy, and desire. Cruise played the role of Dr. Bill Harford, while Kidman portrayed his on-screen wife, Alice.
“I suggested Nicole play the role,” Cruise told the publication, adding, “Because obviously she’s a great actress.” This brief yet powerful comment is notable for two reasons: it breaks a long silence about Kidman, and it openly acknowledges her talent in a way Cruise rarely does with former partners.
Their roles in the film required emotional vulnerability and complex interpersonal tension—something that mirrored their real-life dynamic during the latter years of their marriage. The film’s intense, extended production—reportedly lasting over 400 days—has long been the subject of speculation, with many critics and fans questioning whether Kubrick intentionally used their real-life relationship as a foundation for the characters’ emotional arc.
Behind the Scenes of a Landmark Film and a Changing Relationship
Cruise’s comment about Kidman wasn’t limited to praise. He also provided insights into the filming process itself. “It was experimental,” he said. “We were constantly rewriting the scenes and shooting the scenes and then reshooting the scenes to really find the tone of the film.”
Eyes Wide Shut was known for its unorthodox filmmaking process. Kubrick’s perfectionist methods involved countless takes, late-night shoots, and in-depth rehearsals. The film, adapted from Arthur Schnitzler’s 1926 novella Traumnovelle (Dream Story), tackled themes that demanded intense psychological engagement from its actors—something Cruise and Kidman, then married for nearly a decade, were uniquely positioned to deliver.
Their real-life dynamic is widely believed to have influenced the film’s emotional authenticity. In a separate 2024 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Kidman addressed the speculation directly, saying, “I suppose [Kubrick] was mining it. There were ideas he was interested in. He’d ask a lot of questions. But he had a strong sense of the story he was telling.”
A Shared Trailer and Minesweeper Battles
Kidman also shared quirky and humanizing behind-the-scenes details about the shoot. According to her, Kubrick did not believe in giving both actors separate trailers due to budget priorities or perhaps his unique working philosophy.
“Tom and I shared [a trailer] because Stanley would say, ‘You’re not each getting a trailer. We can’t afford it,’” she recalled with a laugh. “Tom had a smaller area because he was running stuff. And he’d play video games. That was when Minesweeper was big. So there was a lot of that.”
This glimpse into their daily life on set paints a picture of a couple still managing a semblance of normalcy amid one of the most demanding shoots in modern cinema.
The End of a Hollywood Power Couple
Cruise and Kidman divorced in 2001 after 11 years of marriage. Cruise filed for divorce in February of that year. In a joint statement at the time, their representative cited “the difficulties inherent in divergent careers, which constantly keep them apart,” as the key reason for the separation. The split was finalized later that year.
In 2002, Cruise addressed the breakup in an interview with Vanity Fair, saying, “She knows why, and I know why. She’s the mother of my children, and I wish her well.” He continued, “You just move on. And I don’t say that lightly. Things happen in life, and you do everything you can, and in every possible way, and there’s a point at which you just sometimes have to face the brutal reality.”
These words marked one of the last times he spoke publicly about Kidman—until now.
Life After Divorce: New Paths, New Families
After their separation, both stars went on to lead very different lives.
Nicole Kidman went on to marry Australian country music star Keith Urban in 2006. Together, they have two daughters—Sunday Rose, born in 2008, and Faith Margaret, born in 2010. Kidman has continued to enjoy critical and commercial success, winning an Academy Award for The Hours (2002) and earning acclaim for her roles in Big Little Lies, The Undoing, and Being the Ricardos.
Cruise, on the other hand, married actress Katie Holmes in 2006. Their daughter, Suri Cruise, was born that same year. The couple divorced in 2012. Since then, Cruise has focused heavily on his film career, particularly the Mission: Impossible franchise, while largely avoiding media coverage of his personal life. He is also known for his association with the Church of Scientology, which has long drawn public scrutiny.
Scientology and Family Dynamics
Cruise and Kidman’s adopted children—Isabella and Connor—remained with Cruise after the divorce and were reportedly raised within the Church of Scientology. Over the years, there have been persistent rumors about estrangement between Kidman and the children, though she has rarely spoken about it publicly.
In a 2018 interview with Who Magazine, Kidman addressed the topic briefly, stating, “They are adults. They are able to make their own decisions. They have made choices to be Scientologists and as a mother, it’s my job to love them.”
A Remarkable Legacy and a Moment of Respect
Cruise’s recent comments offer a rare moment of public respect for his former partner, and reflect not only on their shared professional past but also a time of personal transformation for both. Eyes Wide Shut, once polarizing, has grown in stature over time and is now viewed as a provocative and deeply symbolic film that captured the emotional intensity of its lead couple on and off the screen.
As the 25th anniversary of the film approaches, Cruise and Kidman’s reflections serve as a reminder of how complex, passionate, and layered Hollywood’s most iconic relationships can be.
The Information is Collected from Fox News and Yahoo.
