Who thinks Tom Cruise would have worked as Pre - Without Limits (1998) Discussion

[–] gigs26 19 years ago

I've watched Tom Cruise now for over two decades and I feel that without question , he would have done the part justice. I think that Cruise, in some ways, is a lot like Steve Prefontaine. Neither gives or gave less than 100 percent effort in anything they aspire to achieve. While I feel that Billy Crudup gives the definitive acting performance in this role, Tom Cruise would have been great also.

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[–] Cuneo 12 years ago

Too old, too short, too slow.

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[–] Ensign2001 19 years ago

TOO OLD! No way. Crudup even looked like a runner, more importantly he naturally looked some what like Prefontaine.

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[–] daring1972 19 years ago

I don't think Cruise lacks anything in the acting ability but I do think that he made the right decision in letting Crudup play the role. I think that Billy gave the performance of a lifetime doing Pre. I love watching Cruise acting but I can't imagine anyone else playing this role. The special bonus prize of this movie is the chemistry between Crudup and the great Donald Sutherland!

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[–] Keeman91 18 years ago

No, never, never, never Tom Cruise, he just doesnt seem like a runner

DIE STUPID PEOPLE WHO DONT KNOW THE RIGHT LYRICS

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[–] ginaturner 18 years ago

have you ever seen tom cruise run? he looks too goofy to be believable as a world-class runner.

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[–] gravesroland 18 years ago

OH PLEASE!

COME ON! TOM CRUISE AS THE GREAT ONE!???

I would have to disagree with you on this one...

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[–] pokeyrunner7 18 years ago

You are absolutely right!

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] gtarman59 18 years ago

Tom Cruise is a hack. He plays the same part over and over. There's no depth to any of his performances. He's not an actor's actor--he's a movie star. This film needed a real actor, not an overpaid, professional smiler.

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[–] jsataluri 18 years ago

no way! Tom Cruise couldn't even run a mile if he played the part.

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[–] airborn186 18 years ago

I wouldn't have been able to take Cruise seriously in the role of Prefontaine for many reasons, many of which have already been listed.

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[–] KiiWii 18 years ago

I think that hiring tom cruise would take away from the movie. Most people would be too distracted by his other roles to play him. yes, andd... cruise looks nothing like pre.

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[–] mbradley5555 18 years ago

Pre can't be portrayed by a big-name actor, it just doesn't work. Plus, "Prefontaine" was better than this movie anyway.

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[–] Surfnturf4 18 years ago

i respect the Fact that you think that "Prefontaine" was a better movie. but it's just a bunch of lies. read the Kenny Moore biography of Bill Bowerman and the men of Oregon. Kenny Moore also helped make Without Limits. Disney didn't have the consent of Bowerman or anyone else. they tried to get it but Bowerman didn't like the story the presented him. so they just went ahead and made it. I like Gunny. he's a great actor and i respect that he was in the Vietnam war, but having him play Bowerman was the wrong casting choice. Sutherland not only looked like Bill Bowerman, after meeting with Bowerman himself Donald Sutherland was able to capture somewhat what was Bowerman. Disney just had Gunny be you're conventional had headed coach.

Tom Cruise was a producer of Without Limits. if i remember right he liked Billy Crudup as being Prefontaine. i don't think it would have worked. Tom Cruise is a little bit to short and as stated above he runs goofy. sprinting he looks normal, but distance running is different ergonomics in the way you run.

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[–] comic_releif 18 years ago

You have obviously not seen Magnolia...

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[–] rocketman2100 17 years ago

LOL, that's hilarious, I almost fell off my chair. Great comment.

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[–] harvestepenguin 18 years ago

Not a chance. He might of worked as Pre, but it would not have been as great a movie as it is with such a lead actor playing the star. It works much better with Cudrup being a Pre-doubleganger than with Tom Cruise trying to look like Pre. Also Cudrup brought way more to the character than Tom could've, even though Cruise is an accomplished actor.

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] merrilllaw 17 years ago

Crudup was awesome. I agree with the post above saying that Pre could not have been played by a really big name actor. It would have swamped the story. But, more importantly, Monica Potter sort of stole the show, in my opinion.

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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] cpc505 17 years ago

I concur with most of the reasons already posted as to why T. Cruise shouldn't have played Pre. Throw in the fact that he is too short. (Insert your own F. Shorter joke)
Of course camera angles and such could have worked around Cruise's stature, but he has more of a gymnast's stocky build, than the build of runners like Pre, Ryun or Shorter.

______________________________________________________________________
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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] stealthjunk 17 years ago

Nope, sorry. Don't think that body type, facial features, ANYTHING would have been right for Pre. Plus, Pre (like many world class athletes) was a real contradiction - cocky as hell on the outside but full of insecurities on the inside. Can't see TC pulling that one off. Billy Crudup did a marvelous job on this movie but I don't think it would be one of my favorites if Tom Cruise was in the starring role.

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