Emily Blunt tries to deny dissing Tom Cruise movies, journo provides proof

These are photos of Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt at the London photocall for Edge of Tomorrow. Emily is wearing a flirty, slightly retro Oscar de La Renta dress. Tom is wearing the sportiest sport coat of all time and some super shiny lifts. They’re both ready for this tour, but Tom is taking a back seat to Emily so far. Maybe that was part of the deal. Emily gets to be in a huge, potentially blockbuster action movie, but she’s the one doing the interviews.

Tom hasn’t said a word to the media in months, which is just as well. Last year was an utter disaster for his media image. He squirmed through deposition-gate, and his former publicist dished the dirt. Tom’s trying to present an image of a reticent, mysterious movie star. We know better. I also don’t know if Emily can sell this movie on her own. She’s perfectly charming, but she’s not a big star. We’ll see how this goes in a few weeks.

Emily sat down with the Telegraph. The interview is decent, but my favorite part is where the journo brings up something snarky Emily said about Tom Cruise movies a few years ago. Emily tried to deny saying anything bad, but then the journo whipped out a hard copy of an old interview. Ouch:

The moment of truth: A few years ago Emily Blunt said that she would rather do badly paid theatre for the rest of her life than ever accept a role “as a spear carrier in a Tom Cruise movie.” On the eve of the opening of her new sci-fi action flick Edge of Tomorrow with, er, Tom Cruise, I remind her of this statement. “I never said that! What an awful thing to say.” I pull out the newspaper clipping (an interview in The Telegraph in 2005) and she roars with laughter. “That is so funny. Well, at least I’m not a spear carrier.”

She’s normal: “I don’t feel I lead a glamorous life. Most of the people we’re friends with are people you can just hang out with. You should have seen us this morning. It was … well, not chaos, but like everyone else in the morning with a small baby. [John Krasinski] is the diaper king. We’re both hands-on all the time.”

She always hated her last name: “Because we all know what it rhymes with. But my English agent at the time said, ‘Don’t, it’s so memorable.’ Every male actor I work with always ends up just calling me ‘Blunt’.”

Working with Tom: “We laughed a lot. That’s the wonderful thing about Tom: he doesn’t take himself that seriously and he is very self-effacing. He couldn’t care less what people think about him — that’s quite refreshing. I was aware that it was going to be so challenging and so physically hard, and I was programmed into thinking it was going to be a bit ‘boys’ club’, but I’ve never been on a film as collaborative as this — everyone was so encouraging, and I was consistently emboldened to speak up and to disagree. I learnt this really lethal martial art called Krav Maga — it’s the Israeli martial art. You use your elbows, knees and teeth.”

Getting back into shape after baby: “I got back on the rower this morning for the first time [since Hazel was born]. I only managed five minutes. And I managed to squeeze on my jeans for the first time today too.”

She wants more kids: “I’m from a big family and John is one of three so I think we definitely would [have more]. [Ojai] is such an escape. We have land and space and beautiful trees and the air is clean.”

The paparazzi: “They’re outside our house every day in LA, but don’t want to pay for the petrol to come here. Also we don’t tend to leave the house much — so they could wait for days. They followed [John] to the gym and one guy was driving really dangerously, rushing red lights. So John was like, ‘I’m going to take a picture of his car.’ He got out and the guy was going, ‘Hey John, how ya doing, man?’ And then he saw John take a picture of his licence plate and he turned instantly aggressive: ‘You f— c—, what’s your problem, man?’ John just started laughing — that’s the hilarity of what they do, as soon as you turn a camera on them they are paranoid, angry and openly aggressive.”

She & John wills stay in the states: “Our lives are here, all our friends are here. I [do] miss the irreverence of the British.”

[From Telegraph]

Hahaha. Emily really got called out for dissing Tom movies, but she recovered well. That must have been super embarrassing for her, and I do give her credit for making it through the rest of the interview. Some actors would have cut the talk short or at least taken a break.

I’ve included photos of Tom and Emily entering the Chiltern Firehouse restaurant in London last week. Tom looks awkward, but at least it’s not another sex club.

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise

Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet, Pacific Coast News & WENN

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61 Responses to “Emily Blunt tries to deny dissing Tom Cruise movies, journo provides proof”

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  1. Marnie says:

    Love her. She always comes off well in interviews!

  2. Dani2 says:

    Aha, I found it really funny when the journalist provided receipts but tbh, I don’t really remember specific stuff that I said close to ten years ago so I’m not surprised that she couldn’t remember.

  3. Wanda says:

    This is why celebs need to learn to stop making nasty comments at other celebs. I mean, non-celebs are guilty of this equally. Saying something nasty just for the sake of being funny and nasty.

    Like if an article is on some celeb doing some crap, then okay, I understand people saying non-related nasty things…..but when there’s no context and you just randomly bring up someone to slam them, that’s just obnoxious.

  4. MrsBPitt says:

    I’m glad she laughed it off, instead of trying to make up some big, stupid explanation for it. Emily is okay…I just don’t think she has anything “special” to be a huge star…I do love her husband…John always seems like such a cool, laid back kind of guy…

    • Esmom says:

      Agree she handled being busted very well.

      I need an ID on those booties she’s wearing in the last shot, love them!

    • SpookySpooks says:

      I read somewhere John was quite stuck up- Is that true?

      • CF says:

        no! Ran into him in Boston, he was nice. I said hello as I was walking bye and he gave me a big smile and a hows it going?

    • Lucinda says:

      The comment wasn’t that bad and she handled it very well. She probably didn’t remember and she was self-depreciating when called out. It was a tacky move on the journalist in my opinion but whatever.

  5. paola says:

    I don’t think Tom cruise will ever be able to drag me to a cinema to watch one of his movies again. That ship has sunk a long time ago. And not because of his age. Emily is very adorable but in my opinion she’s not star quality. She can be a good wing but never a leader. She was great in ‘the devil wears Prada’

    • Kiddo says:

      Well the crazy couch jumping didn’t help him. But honestly, I find a great many of the loud explosive action/shoot ’em up movies to be incredibly boring. I like films with more character development, plot and drama.

      • Lindy79 says:

        It seems to me that he’s been making the same film for the last 5 years just with different co-stars?

        They’re all shooty action movies, and I say that as a total fan of geek culture.
        (I’m ignoring Rock of Ages, as much as I love 80’s rock, his melted plastic lipo chest and screeching is something I’d rather forget)

      • Kiddo says:

        @Lindy79, LMAO. I didn’t go anywhere near Rock of Ages, but you make it sound hilariously bad where it might be worth seeing just for the awfulness and to goof on it.

      • Lindy79 says:

        The movie itself for a bit of fun is fine, and I love that era/genre but this
        http://thecineasteslament.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/tom-cruise-rock-of-ages.jpg
        nope, thanks

      • paola says:

        That’s exactly why I won’t ever go to see one of his movies again. He’s just plain gross and creepy. I might rewatch ‘Cocktail’ though… that was the age of innocence for Tom so it doesn’t count.

      • mimic says:

        You’re all so glib this morning.

      • Kiddo says:

        @mimic, Haha. *I see what you did there.

        Although we are glib every morning, but not nearly as douchey as Matt Lauer.

      • mimic says:

        Omg why am I mimiC? What evil sorcerery is at work here, it’s mimifffffffffff *jumps up and down on couch with ferocious abandon*
        P.S. Matt Lauer’s nickname should be Summer’s Eve.

    • manta says:

      Well, she was a the lead in The young Victoria and I found her terrific in that one. I’ve seen many of her performances and quite enjoyed them.
      I just realize, typing this,that apart from Sunshine cleaning, and on a lesser level Looper, she gave her most interesting performances in UK movies (My summer of love, Wild target or Salmon fishing). She should do more of these and stick to indies when she works in the US.

      Is it a common way of thinking for british actresses that “they’ve made it” only when they star in big budget Hollywood pictures? Because I think,often, they aren’t their best body of work. I feel the same for Rachel Weisz. Her most riveting performances to me were in UK or European movies. Stick to that and the stage!

      • mayamae says:

        I really liked her in the Jane Austen Book Club. She played down her looks in the movie, and did a fine American accent. I loved her in The Young Victoria as well, even though the movie seemed like pure PR for the BRF.

  6. lucy2 says:

    I like her a lot, and John too, but I don’t believe for a second that Tom doesn’t care what people think about him. He is VERY concerned about his image at all times.

  7. birdie says:

    Oh Emily. That must have been super embarrassing, even though I really liked what she said back then. Now I’m a bit disappointed that she tried to deny saying that.

  8. Lindy says:

    I think she handled it very well. ‘Edge of Tomorrow’ is getting very good reviews, and might actually be a hit. Still wish Tom would let his hair go grey and stop trying to pretend like its 1986.

  9. Nya says:

    Does any Londoner have the deets on this Chiltern Firehouse place? Why is EVERY CELEB there? In the past week I’ve seen pictures of Tom, Emily, John Krasinski, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner, Alexander Skarsgard, Sparkle Pattinson, and Chris Martin there.

    • Lindy says:

      It’s run by a celebrity chef who used to have another restaurant, but closed it quickly and unexpectedly to open this one. One would guess that the food is excellent – although of course actresses don’t eat. 🙂

    • AG-UK says:

      It is owned by Andre Balzas’ he has several in NY plus it will be a hotel at some point. All the “fabulous” people tend to go and you can’t get in until 3-4 months if you are a nobody but doesn’t necessarily mean the food is that amazing. The Ivy is he same way and half the time it’s good but I am not blown away. It was like Scott’s was when it first opened.

    • Mia4S says:

      Most likely the place is providing free food/alcohol to celebs to get them there for the publicity. A few paparazzi out front and voilà! Instant buzz. It’s clever really.

      • AG-UK says:

        ha maybe I can book now for my bday in Jan (LOL) they will probably put me near the kitchen (:

    • lisa says:

      I would imagine the biggest attraction would be a venue where people are not going to take photos and start a running description on twitter about what they are doing.

      • pem says:

        It’s the new “it” restaurant in town – good marketing/PR. Booked out for months, except if you’re a celeb of course. Funny, his old restaurant wasn’t cho full of celebs all the time, although it was also popular.

  10. Dany says:

    I love Emily as actress, but i dislike Cruise. Stopped watching movies with Cruise many years ago. My dislike for him is even stronger than my love for some of his talented Co-stars.

  11. crab says:

    Please pass the “blunt”. 🙂

  12. eliza says:

    Sorry, I cannot get onboard the Emily Blunt Love Train. I find her a bit nasty at times and flippant. Can’t say I am a huge fan of her acting. While no Cruise fan, there have been movies of his that were excellent as much as it pains me to say.

    Not sure I have seen many Cruise movies with women spear carriers in them, but whatever.

    • K.B. says:

      I know she tries to chalk it up to the whole English, stiff upper lip thing, but I don’t care for her either. There’s something about her that turns me off, although I have enjoyed (and, in the case of “The Devil Wears Prada, LOVED) the few movies of hers I’ve seen. I don’t dislike her intensely, she’s just not someone whose movies I’ll pay to see in theaters. I do appreciate that she (and her husband) seem to lay low and they’re not constantly papped.

      • The Original Mia says:

        This is how I feel too.

      • Shannon1972 says:

        +1. I’m kind of indifferent to her, but I love the Oscar de la Renta dress! The fabric is gorgeous, and pockets – whoever started putting pockets in formal dresses is a genius.

      • claire says:

        I was pretty indifferent to her as well. Then I saw her recent Ellen interview and she was so personable and funny. I’m warming up now.

    • Kelly says:

      Agreed. I don’t know how she gets so many roles. And he’s annoying but some of his movies were good.

  13. Samtha says:

    It was probably a throwaway comment she didn’t even remember making. She played the situation well by laughing it off.

    • TheOriginalKitten says:

      Exactly. The comment “Tom Cruise movie” was less a slam on him and more of a reference to big budget films.

      People get so uptight about every little thing.

      • Boxy Lady says:

        Oh good. I’m not the only who thought she was referring to any banal bit part in a big budget movie.

  14. Kali says:

    So who do I have to murder to get my hands on the blue dress?

  15. AG-UK says:

    I know this is just me but I can’t get past her teeth the remind me of chiclets. I havent’ really seen many of her films other than Devil Wears Prada but I just saw the preview yesterday of the new film my son likes that sort of stuff so we might see it but scifi ground hog day.

  16. Mia4S says:

    Sorry Emily. You’re cute, you handled that well, but Cruise is an instant “I’m not watching”.

    She will get a good boost from Into the Woods at Christmas is my guess.

  17. Tig says:

    Yeah, who hasn’t been caught out saying something that they shouldn’t? And I agree- it was more re big budget movies as opposed to saying TC is a jerk. But points to her for laughing it off and moving on. Love the cut of the dress and the fabric!

  18. K.B. says:

    I find it more interesting (and far more revealing of what must be her true personality) that she hates her last name because of what it rhymes with rather than what it’s slang for. I’ve never liked Tom Cruise (even back in the 90s when people loved him and thought I was crazy for disliking him), but I think Emily was rude for saying that about his movies. (Remember the good old days when you could admit that someone wasn’t your cup of tea, and you weren’t called a “hater” and/or “just jealous”?) I don’t think “laughing it off” was the best way to handle it. She should have admitted that she was embarrassed for making a comment like that, especially as she found herself making the type of movie that she previously mocked. Money talks, doesn’t it, Emily?

  19. Kim1 says:

    She grew up in the UK I’m would guess the word C#nt is used more than the slang for marijuana ,blunt.

  20. Dorothy#1 says:

    Took me five minutes to figure out what blunt rhymed with! lol

  21. andrea says:

    As someone said above, I can’t get on this “love train” either — in terms of her acting or her personality. She only seems to smile when she is being paid to act or promote a movie and I had to laugh at the comment about fitting into the jeans. She’s been pictured in skinny jeans almost immediately after having the baby — when she’s not in gym clothes, that is.

  22. Deedee says:

    Tom doesnt look like himself in those last pictures. I barely recognized him.

  23. sea dragon says:

    I hadn’t realized she was the girl from Devil. Idk that I’ve seen her elsewhere but she seems perfectly lovely. The interview was given by Lainey. Can anyone tell me why people dislike her? She has great insight at times. I appreciate that.

  24. feebee says:

    That’s right Blunt, OWN IT! It definitely wasn’t the worse thing you could have said about a Tom Cruise movie.

  25. MarilynGray says:

    She handled herself well, it’s always good to see a celeb laugh at themselves. I’m not sure I buy her story that Cruise is like that but it’s not like I’ve actually met him to know otherwise.
    I saw a second trailer for Edge of Tomorrow yesterday and is looking better than I expected. May not venture to the cinema to see it but no promises – I did recently see Transcendence at the cinema despite the reviews.

  26. Aye says:

    I agree she handled it very well and moved on quickly…if she’d moaned over it the journo might have been able to build an entire story around her slip-up, from years ago. She’s done pretty well; I like her physical presence on screen (she was a professional dancer at some stage) but she was puuuurfect in Devil! I remember she made some comment about learning to rein it all in (early in her career) as it’s easy to overact. Keira Knightley and Cate Blanchett obviously didn’t get that memo.
    There was some article this week about how Tom Cruise has been skewered by youtube/gifs. Yes, he was a bit out there during the Oprah interview nearly one decade ago. But he STOOD, not JUMPED, on the couch. He jumped ON but didn’t JUMP ON IT. It wasn’t THAT crazy. I guess the other things that leaked (the HO$ videos) didn’t help though. In the end he still picks solid films (except for the Jack Reacher one) and I’ll be seeing this one as I liked him and Olga in Oblivion). I do think he’s unaffected by the opinions of the public but he cares in the sense of a business person protecting his brand. That’s all…

  27. carnival says:

    Its a good move on Tom’s part to not do many interviews. His PR team has finally done something right. I don’t know any woman who likes this dude or would ever see a movie he’s in.

  28. Deeana says:

    I’ve noticed the difference in Tom Cruise’s face lately also. His face is “fatter”. I’ve noticed some of the female celebrities have this “fat face” look about them lately. I think the plastic surgeons must have come up with some new type of “filler” that gives this look. It does make them look different.

    I read an article in one of the business journals that this is a “make or break” movie for Cruise. Many of his movies over the past few years have not done well. And he is getting older. Where does his career go from here? Who knows?

    Will he go the way of Harrison Ford or Sylvester Stallone?

    • Ice says:

      Can’t blame them for trying to extend their shelf life but Robert De Niro has talked about this. He says he’s happy at this stage of his career to act in interesting supporting roles. And he’s working non stop and popping up in the most unexpected movies.

  29. als says:

    I haven’t seen Emiliy Blunt in anything good lately and I definitely won’t watch this Tom Cruise movie. However, she does have lots of friends in Hollywood, so I imagine she is a pretty ‘flexible’ person, one whose opinions change pretty often.
    Her reaction is not that smart IMO, it’s just normal, she laughed it off.