Tom Cruise Still Regrets Ridley Scott’s Legend

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Both Tom Cruise and Ridley Scott are well-known names in Hollywood, but one of their early collaborations, the 1985 fantasy film Legend, didn’t quite live up to expectations. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Cruise admitted Legend was a mistake. While the movie has gained a dedicated fanbase over time, it’s often considered an unusual film in both Cruise’s and Scott’s careers. Scott went all-out with ambitious sets and creature designs, and Cruise was a rising star after his success in Risky Business. Many expected a blockbuster hit, but the fantasy genre wasn’t a natural fit for Cruise, and the film ultimately underperformed at the box office.

When Legend first came out, critics generally didn’t like it, particularly the story and the way it was cut for U.S. theaters. The movie didn’t make back its production costs, and that was before even considering marketing expenses. The interesting mix of Tom Cruise’s own disappointment with the film, the negative reviews, and its enduring popularity with fans is why people still discuss Legend today. In 2002, a director’s cut was released, closer to Ridley Scott’s original idea for the film, which led to a fresh look at the movie. Tom Cruise then starred in 1986’s Top Gun, a film that launched his career and made him a major star. While Top Gun was a huge success and the right move for his career, Legend has surprisingly become a beloved film for many fans, despite Cruise’s own feelings about it.

Ridley Scott’s Legend Was Plagued with Challenges During Its Production

Following the success of Alien, Ridley Scott began planning Legend in 1981. After a somewhat unsuccessful first attempt at a commercial project, Scott wanted to create something truly grand and imaginative with Legend.

Scott Ridley aimed to build a beautiful, shadowy fairy-tale world populated with magical beings. While an impressive undertaking, Legend was made with a fairly limited budget of around $25 million. He later expressed regret that he hadn’t obtained more funding, believing that an additional $5 million would have significantly improved the film’s special effects.

The film Legend relied heavily on prosthetic makeup, and Tim Curry’s transformation into the Lord of Darkness was particularly demanding. While his performance is a standout part of the movie, achieving the look required hours of makeup application each day, causing both physical discomfort and mental stress for Curry. The elaborate prosthetics are now considered a landmark achievement in special effects, but they meant Curry had to arrive on set long before anyone else and often stay late. Initially, the makeup process took up to eight hours, but legendary makeup artist Rob Bottin (known for his work on The Thing) eventually reduced it to five. During filming, Curry grew frustrated with the restrictive makeup and, in one instance, ripped it off, accidentally tearing his skin.

Tim Curry really didn’t like making the film Legend. The extensive makeup process was so unpleasant that it made him hesitant to take on similar roles later in his career. Each day, he had to spend over an hour soaking in a hot bath to remove the heavy adhesive, which ended up damaging his skin. The layers of makeup were so thick they trapped heat, leaving him drenched in sweat. He also had to wear stilts to achieve the character’s imposing height, forcing him to relearn how to walk. On top of everything, the elaborate headpiece caused him significant pain in his back and neck. Overall, filming Legend was a very difficult experience for Tim Curry.

The production of Legend faced a major disaster when a fire destroyed the main set just ten days before filming was scheduled to finish. The filmmakers had constructed an artificial forest on the 007 stage rather than filming in a natural one. On June 27, 1984, during a break, the set’s flammable materials caught fire and quickly spread, completely destroying the forest, cameras, and lighting. Fortunately, no one on the crew was seriously hurt.

Even though a major fire caused significant problems, the film crew was able to resume shooting after only three days. Rebuilding the damaged sets was expensive and added unexpected costs to the budget. The lost time also put pressure on the production team and likely increased stress for everyone involved, potentially impacting their satisfaction with the finished film.

Tom Cruise Had With Legend, But It Won Fans Over

You know, as a big movie fan, I’ve always been fascinated by the story behind Legend. Apparently, by the time it actually came out, Tom Cruise was already pretty frustrated with it. He felt like the studio really took over, making a lot of changes to Ridley Scott’s original vision and not letting him have much say. The version we all saw in theaters was a far cry from what Scott intended, and even cut out important character development. That’s why he told Rolling Stone he wasn’t happy with how it turned out. On top of that, he was dealing with the incredibly sad loss of his father during filming. And honestly, a lot of critics back then felt like his performance got lost amidst all the elaborate special effects.

As Tom Cruise moved on to other projects, a dedicated fanbase slowly discovered and embraced Legend. Like many beloved cult films, it took time, but word spread. People found the movie through VHS tapes and TV reruns, captivated by its unique atmosphere and impressive visual effects. The makeup and prosthetics were particularly outstanding, creating a fully realized world that felt genuinely handcrafted. Eventually, even the film’s imperfections became part of what made it special. While critics initially found the pacing slow, fans appreciated it, finding that it contributed to the movie’s dreamlike feel.

Many fans consider this film a standout, even though the actor playing Darkness wasn’t thrilled with the makeup. Tim Curry’s portrayal of the Lord of Darkness is a major highlight – his impressive performance, combined with the striking horns, powerful voice, and captivating charisma, made him one of the most memorable villains in fantasy cinema. Legend stands apart from other 80s fantasy movies thanks to its unique and immersive atmosphere. Unlike its contemporaries, it focuses less on action and more on drawing the audience into its world. The director’s cut, released years later, helped introduce the film to a new generation of fans by restoring lost footage.

Part of the movie’s appeal is simply nostalgia. Many viewers first saw Legend as children and it made a lasting impression. It perfectly captures the distinctive atmosphere of 1980s dark fantasy, fitting in with films like Labyrinth. Fans have continued to enjoy Legend over the years, discovering new things to love about the collaboration between Scott and Cruise. Despite the frustrations the director and star experienced during production, their work has clearly resonated with audiences who have remained dedicated to the film for decades.

Legend Stands the Test of Time Despite Tom Cruise’s Regrets

Looking back, Legend feels like a movie that didn’t quite live up to its potential. It was a difficult production for many involved, but it eventually found an audience. Tom Cruise has said the experience was challenging and clearly had a lasting impact on him. While Ridley Scott may have wished for a bigger budget, fans still recognize and enjoy the film’s quality and artistry.

The film Legend has endured thanks to its dedicated fanbase. Many things make it special, including Tim Curry’s memorable performance as the Lord of Darkness, its enchanting atmosphere, and impressive sets. Like most cult classics, Legend has gained popularity through word-of-mouth and a devoted following. It often leaves a lasting impression on viewers when they’re young, and that continues as each new generation discovers it. Over time, the film’s reputation has evolved, and it’s now considered a beloved cult classic.

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2025-10-31 19:07