Tom Cruise Canned From Paramount

Posted Aug 22nd 2006 6:41PM by TMZ Staff

Tom Cruise has just gotten the heave ho from Paramount Pictures.

Tom Cruise

Sumner Redstone, chief honcho at Viacom, the parent company of Paramount, has ended the 14-year relationship with Cruise's production company, Cruise/Wagner Productions. According to The Wall Street Journal, Redstone cited Cruise's controversial conduct and behavior over the last year as the reason for the split.

Redstone reportedly believed Cruise's antics -- including his now infamous appearances on "Oprah" and "Today" -- had a negative impact on the bottom line for "Mission Impossible III." Redstone said, "As much as we like him personally, we thought it was wrong to renew his deal." Redstone told The Wall Street Journal: "His recent conduct has not been acceptable to Paramount."

Cruise/Wagner produced a string of hits for Paramount, including "Top Gun," "Mission Impossible" and "Days of Thunder."

UPDATE: Paula Wagner, Cruise's producing partner, responded angrily, claiming Redstone's comments were "outrageous and disrespectful." Wagner noted that her collaboration with Cruise has accounted for 15% of Paramount's theatrical revenues over the last decade. Wagner added that she and Cruise broke off negotiations with Paramount within the last few days. Finally, Wagner said her company has raised "a revolving fund of $100 million" from two hedge funds and that they will be making movies in the future.

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Filed under: Movies, Tom & Katie

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(Page 1 of 24) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. Good Job. Finally someone in Hollywood admits what a freak that guy is!

Posted at 6:57PM on Aug 22nd 2006 by Kate

2. Earth to Tom Cruise: this is living proof you need to get a CLUE.

Posted at 6:58PM on Aug 22nd 2006 by Drew

3. Hey Tom, you weirdo, have you ever heard of "consequences of your actions"?

Posted at 6:59PM on Aug 22nd 2006 by celebrity gossip lover

4. I just hope that all these actors will start keeping their damn stupid opinions to themselves form now on. I don't want to hear a bunch of highschool drop outs talk about politics and healthcare. Go away Tom Cruise, chestica simpson, parasite wonkey hilton, sh*t spears and k-fart, brad arm-pitt, angelina vagina lips, and all your damn kids.

Posted at 6:59PM on Aug 22nd 2006 by Hollygolightly

5. Katie...........there is still time..............RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (of course, take the child with you - so use to being told what to do I see).

Posted at 7:04PM on Aug 22nd 2006 by Pieta

6. Love it!

Posted at 7:08PM on Aug 22nd 2006 by gina

7. ITS ABOUT FREEKIN TIME ...... THESE ACTORS GET ON THEIR SOAP BOX AND THINK THEY ARE UNTOUCHABLE........NOW HE NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS ACTIONS...........GOOD FOR THEM. ......NOW WHAT ABOUT THE REST?

Posted at 7:09PM on Aug 22nd 2006 by Cathy

8. Who cares??? Tom's a freak.

BlackMetal

Posted at 7:12PM on Aug 22nd 2006 by BlackMetal

9. Uh, people...it's not about Tom's antics per se. It's about the amount of money he wanted. Studios are no longer able to shell out the big bucks they use to. Tom wants too much money and Paramount wasn't going to ante up a big, long term contract for Tom. They might still work on a deal to deal situation but nothing like the he had before. Tom won't be making the type of money he use to but he'll still be making millions (and then giving it to scientology, and at least 10 mill to Katie for their deal, and what ever he has left over to his gay lovers).

Posted at 7:15PM on Aug 22nd 2006 by Travis Bickle

10. it is sad to see a long time business venture go their seperate ways. times change and so do people. Tom will manage and do greater things in the future. The antics were not what the public could accept from tom. the mystery of him was the best. he went public with his feelings ands the public betrayed him. should have stayed the mystery man. i like the tom who declares his feelings and fraility. i wish he will remain in the public and bring to us movies in which all can enjoy. gete back to the basic of film, the story. thanks tom and peace to you and yours.

Posted at 7:16PM on Aug 22nd 2006 by allie kaye

11. Well, well, well, Finally someone in Hollywood had the guts to get rid of that idiot, known as Tom Cruise! He and Katy are a disgrace - the way he paraded her around like a prize poodle!!!They deserve each other!!!.

Posted at 7:16PM on Aug 22nd 2006 by Stella Marie Rice

12. What?? Tom Cruise DROPPED from Paramount?? Did the Hollywood movers and shakers finally figure out that "fans" have had ENOUGH?

I used to be a fan of Tom Cruise and enjoyed most all of his movies. When he became the "all knowing expert" on everything from religion to mental health I knew it was time to move on. When will entertainers learn to keep their mouths shut and just do what they do best, whether that happens to be acting, directing, singing or whatever? The bigger they get the more they think they should tell the world how to be and I'm not the only one that resents it!

Posted at 7:19PM on Aug 22nd 2006 by TXLady

13. About time!!!!!!

Say goodbye to Mr. Short Divorce.

Nice to know a person who thinks they are better than everyone else because they have money & pay $$$$ as you go "faith" can be shown they ARE NOT better than everyone else & your behavior has been stupid!!

Posted at 7:19PM on Aug 22nd 2006 by Ms Kris

14. He just lost the biggest money maker deal of his life. He was getting 40 million per movie, but now this dumba** has ruined a good this. He isn't too bright. He can thank his Scientology antics for this one.

Posted at 7:20PM on Aug 22nd 2006 by Joe Borchers

15. IM GLAD TO SEE A BIG STUDIO TAKE A STAND. I KNOW ITS ALL ABOUT THE BOTTOM LINE ($$$$$) BUT STILL HE ENDED UP BEING DEAD WEIGHT FOR THEM.

DUMB ASS!

Posted at 7:21PM on Aug 22nd 2006 by DESERT RAT

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