I’m A Tropic Thunder Fan Who’s Obsessed With Les Grossman. Turns Out, We Could Be Getting More From ‘F—ing Funny’ Tom Cruise

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As a movie enthusiast who always keeps an eye on the latest releases, I must admit that Hollywood’s take on comedies isn’t quite the same as it was back in the day. Case in point is the 2008 gem, Tropic Thunder, which, surprisingly, still stirs conversations about its potential modern-day production. The Ben Stiller film is a laugh riot, and one of the most hilarious moments, for me, is Tom Cruise’s portrayal of Les Grossman – just hearing his name gives you a good chuckle!

Rumors have been swirling about a solo Les Grossman movie for years, and it seems like we might finally get to see more of him. If the buzz is anything to go by, it’s shaping up to be “a damn funny ride!

In a recent conversation on the ‘Happy Sad Confused’ podcast, filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie hinted at potentially reintroducing the agile-dancing character Grossman in future films or projects. This suggestion came from McQuarrie, who frequently works with Tom Cruise, during his chat with host Josh Horowitz. He elaborated on this by stating:

The discussions we’ve been having regarding Les Grossman have been incredibly humorous. We delve deep into the topic, engaging in quite serious discourses about it, and brainstorming the most effective ways to approach it. Ultimately, it boils down to understanding the nature of that character.

When queried about whether Grossman would be central to the project, the writer of Top Gun: Maverick emphasizes that leading men in films carry distinct roles, thus this is a significant query. How might a comeback for the character materialize? Could Les Grossman effectively function as a supporting actor or could he headline a movie similar to Michael Scott? Overloading the production with too much of one element is undesirable.

The filmmaker detailed the method he and Cruise employed for improvising the character’s aspects. As the Mission: Impossible director put it, this approach allowed them to unwind during the production of their latest Ethan Hunt project. He went on to say:

In a casual and straightforward way: Instead of focusing on the film’s structure, we enjoyed creating various scenes. The simple act of sitting at a breakfast table, discussing something other than our film for a moment, provided a refreshing break. One of the best parts about making this movie was brainstorming with Tom, acting as Les Grossman, right at that table. It was all about balancing planning the future and dealing with the present in the process of creating this movie.

It appears that the two creators have delved significantly into exploring the Les Grossman character’s potential. Given Tom Cruise’s role in developing and advocating for the Tropic Thunder dance and fat fingers, and considering his stake in ensuring the character’s success as his tenure playing Ethan Hunt winds down, it seems quite reasonable.

It appears that they’re clearly enjoying themselves as they discuss potential scenarios, and it would undeniably be disappointing for Tropic Thunder enthusiasts if we don’t get another glimpse of Les Grossman on the silver screen. Here’s to hoping they come up with an exciting way to reintroduce him!

In the meantime, as we anticipate news about the revival of “Tropic Thunder”, why not revisit the amusing portrayal of Les Grossman, played by Tom Cruise, which is currently available for streaming with a Hulu subscription. Meanwhile, if you’re a fan of Tom Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie, remember to check out showtimes for “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” in theaters!

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2025-05-28 19:42