Behind the scenes, it seems Tom Cruise helped Jessica Chastain so she could make the film Zero Dark Thirty. Some soon-to-be stars who are on the verge of a big break get lucky with a great role or a big hit, others might get help from someone they know in the industry, usually someone who recognizes their talent.
Some celebrities who have been under contracts might have been unable to make other movies they were more interested in. Other celebrities might have had to make movies they strongly disliked due to a contractual obligation.
Although Chastain was already a talented actor with an Oscar nomination, she didn’t have the power on her own to get out of a film contract. When Jessica Chastain was under contract to make a film with Tom Cruise, Cruise supported Chastain so she could take on a film she wanted more.
Jessica Chastain Almost Wasn’t Able To Make ‘Zero Dark Thirty’
Jessica Chastain’s success is of course because of her hard work and talent. However, sometimes celebrities also need help in the industry, especially if they are just starting out or needing/wanting to make some sort of a comeback after years away.
Although The 355 actor wasn’t just starting out, she was under contract to make a different film, Oblivion, when she was offered the leading character in director Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chastain discussed being offered the part. “I got cold-called by [director] Kathryn Bigelow. I was in Toronto, and I had heard from [producer] Megan Ellison. We had done a film, Lawless, together. And she said, ‘By the way do you know Kathryn Bigelow’s trying to get a hold of you? She wants to meet with you on something.'”
Continuing, Chastain commented that she responded, “And I was like, ‘What? Please give her my number.'” Reportedly, after her conversation with director Kathryn Bigelow, Chastain decided she wanted the role without even needing to read the script beforehand.
Tom Cruise Supported Jessica Chastain So She Could Make ‘Zero Dark Thirty’
Sometimes celebrities might need support from others in the industry for different reasons. Some celebrities might have taken time off and are looking to make a comeback. Others might find a project they are interested in, and possibly need help from others in order to see their vision realized.
Although Jessica Chastain already had an Oscar nomination, and had caught people’s attention for her performances, she didn’t have the power to get out of a previous contract. The Miss Sloane actor needed to do this in order to make a movie it appears she really wanted to take on: the intense drama Zero Dark Thirty.
According To Vanity Fair, during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter Chastain discussed how Tom Cruise was able to help her out of her contractual obligation to another film, Oblivion, a film that was supposed to be making with Cruise.
Chastain stated, “Someone contacted him from my agency and said, ‘Listen, she wants to work with you. And she would love to, but there is this other film, and it’s so important. And with his support, I was able to do this movie. He’s a pretty incredible human.”
The Martian actor also spoke about how she would still like to work with Cruise on a project at some point at a future time. Chastain stated, “I really hope to find something in the future to do with him.”
Tom Cruise Helped Jessica Chastain Out Of Her Contractual Obligation
Some in the industry are able to help others in a variety of ways. Sometimes it’s offering some celebrities a chance at a comeback, sometimes it could be helping them to work on a project that they could feel passionate about.
When Jessica Chastain was offered the chance play the lead in the CIA film, Zero Dark Thirty, it seems she didn’t want to pass on the role, even though she was already contractually obligated to work on another film, Oblivion, with Tom Cruise.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chastain stated, “I was signed to do this other movie. I was contractually obligated to do something else that I was really wanting to do, and I was excited to do. But when this came my way, I realized I had to do this. And the person who made it possible for me to do this movie is Tom Cruise.”
Continuing, Chastain added that her agency had gotten in contact with the Top Gun actor. It seems as excited as Chastain was about filming Oblivion with Cruise, she felt as though she needed to make Zero Dark Thirty.
After letting Cruise know what was going on, and how she felt about the other film, it seems Cruise wanted to support Chastain. Apparently, after her agency spoke with Cruise, letting him know “there is this other film, and it’s so important”, Cruise’s response was positive.
The Mission: Impossible actor responded, “OK, we’re going to let you out of your contract.”
It seems Chastain isn’t the only celebrity Cruise has supported. According to FandomWire, Will Smith has also discussed Cruise’s want for others to succeed within the industry, as a way to support the whole industry.
The King Richard actor stated, “How many people in [Cruise’s] position would want me to win, want me to be a bigger and better movie star? […] I was so used to competition between other artists that I just didn’t get him at first.”
Continuing, Smith commented, “That just blew my mind because that is not how this business works at all.”