George Clooney and Whoopi Goldberg are among the A-list stars defending Tom Cruise after the movie star was caught on tape blasting Mission Impossible 7 crew members for ignoring COVID protocols.
The actor reportedly lost his cool on the set in Rome, Italy, when he spotted two assistants huddled around a monitor, watching playback. He ranted and raved, threatening to fire anyone who didn’t take his Corona health and safety rules seriously.
In audio leaked by The Sun, Cruise raged, “We are the gold standard. They’re back there in Hollywood making movies right now because of us! Because they believe in us and what we’re doing!
“I’m on the phone with every f**king studio at night, insurance companies, producers, and they’re looking at us and using us to make their movies. We are creating thousands of jobs you motherf**kers. I don’t ever want to see it again, ever! And if you don’t do it you’re fired, if I see you do it again you’re f**king gone.”
And now Clooney has defended his pal during a chat with satellite radio host Howard Stern, insisting Tom had every right to threaten his crew members.
“He didn’t overreact because it is a problem,” George said. “I have a friend who’s an AD (assistant director) on another TV show who just had the almost exact same thing happen with not quite as far out a response. I understand why he did it. He’s not wrong at all about that.”
And Whoopi Goldberg has also offered up her support to Cruise.
Speaking on her talk show The View on Wednesday, she said, “You know, some people don’t understand why he would get so angry. I get it… If he goes down with COVID, the movie’s done. You can’t get another Tom Cruise!”
Listen to Cruise’s tirade below (NSFW).
