LoungeMachine
08-23-2006, 10:24 AM
Studio Boss: Cruise's Conduct Unacceptable
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 23, 2006 09:25AM EST
By Stephen M. Silverman
Tom Cruise and Paramount Pictures have ended their 14-year professional relationship, with the studio blaming Cruise's recent controversial behavior for the split.
Sumner Redstone, chairman of Paramount Pictures parent company Viacom, told the Wall Street Journal Tuesday that the studio would not renew its contract with Cruise's Cruise/Wagner Productions.
"It's nothing to do with his acting ability, he's a terrific actor," Redstone said. "But we don't think that someone who effectuates creative suicide and costs the company revenue should be on the lot."
Cruise starred in Paramount hits including Mission: Impossible, Top Gun and Days of Thunder, and has based his production company on the Paramount lot since 1992, the Journal reports.
But in the past year, he's made headlines by promoting Scientology, jumping on Oprah Winfrey's couch to declare his love for Katie Holmes and attacking the use of antidepressants for postpartum depression.
"As much as we like him personally, we thought it was wrong to renew his deal," said Redstone. "His recent conduct has not been acceptable to Paramount."
Calling Redstone's announcement "surprising," Cruise's producing partner, Paula Wagner, told the Associated Press, "For some reason, Paramount has chosen to negotiate in the press. … It's not really the most businesslike approach. We've had virtually no dealings with Mr. Redstone."
Cruise's agent, Rick Nicita, told the Journal that Cruise was "offended" by Redstone's remarks. "This was done in an incredibly graceless way," he said.
Wagner told the AP that agents for Cruise/Wagner Productions stopped negotiating with Paramount more than a week ago and had since secured independent financing.
She said she and Cruise had been considering taking their company independent "for a long time. For us, this is a very new and exciting direction. We look forward to working with all the studios."
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 23, 2006 09:25AM EST
By Stephen M. Silverman
Tom Cruise and Paramount Pictures have ended their 14-year professional relationship, with the studio blaming Cruise's recent controversial behavior for the split.
Sumner Redstone, chairman of Paramount Pictures parent company Viacom, told the Wall Street Journal Tuesday that the studio would not renew its contract with Cruise's Cruise/Wagner Productions.
"It's nothing to do with his acting ability, he's a terrific actor," Redstone said. "But we don't think that someone who effectuates creative suicide and costs the company revenue should be on the lot."
Cruise starred in Paramount hits including Mission: Impossible, Top Gun and Days of Thunder, and has based his production company on the Paramount lot since 1992, the Journal reports.
But in the past year, he's made headlines by promoting Scientology, jumping on Oprah Winfrey's couch to declare his love for Katie Holmes and attacking the use of antidepressants for postpartum depression.
"As much as we like him personally, we thought it was wrong to renew his deal," said Redstone. "His recent conduct has not been acceptable to Paramount."
Calling Redstone's announcement "surprising," Cruise's producing partner, Paula Wagner, told the Associated Press, "For some reason, Paramount has chosen to negotiate in the press. … It's not really the most businesslike approach. We've had virtually no dealings with Mr. Redstone."
Cruise's agent, Rick Nicita, told the Journal that Cruise was "offended" by Redstone's remarks. "This was done in an incredibly graceless way," he said.
Wagner told the AP that agents for Cruise/Wagner Productions stopped negotiating with Paramount more than a week ago and had since secured independent financing.
She said she and Cruise had been considering taking their company independent "for a long time. For us, this is a very new and exciting direction. We look forward to working with all the studios."