At the star-studded Los Angeles premiere of Ballerina on June 3, 2025, at the TCL Chinese Theatre, Ana de Armas couldn’t stop gushing about Tom Cruise’s enthusiastic support for her new action flick. The John Wick spinoff, set to hit theaters on June 6, got a major shout-out from Cruise, and de Armas told Variety’s Marc Malkin it’s “unbelievable” that the Mission: Impossible star is championing the film. But she was quick to point out that Cruise’s hype isn’t just for Ballerina—he’s all about boosting every movie to get folks back into theaters. “You know what, he supports every movie,” de Armas said. “He really wants the industry and cinema to do well and [wants] people going to the theaters.”
De Armas, who stars as Eve Macarro, a fierce ballerina-turned-assassin seeking revenge in the John Wick universe, revealed that she and Cruise are collaborating on multiple projects, including the upcoming supernatural thriller Deeper, directed by Doug Liman. “We’re working together, so he got to see Ballerina and he actually really liked it. He loved the John Wicks,” she shared, adding that having a Hollywood heavyweight like Cruise in her corner is “very special.” She emphasized the importance of actors lifting each other up, saying, “We can do well all together.”
Cruise’s praise for Ballerina has been loud and clear. At the London premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning on May 15, he called the film “outstanding” and said it “kicks ass,” hyping up de Armas and her co-star Keanu Reeves. “I love what they’re doing, the John Wick series. Ana, an enormously talented actress. Keanu Reeves, he’s phenomenal. The two of them together, amazing,” he told reporters, including social media influencer Javier Ibarreche. Posts on X echoed the excitement, with fans buzzing about Cruise’s endorsement and the dynamic pairing of de Armas and Reeves.
Set between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, Ballerina follows Eve as she trains in the deadly traditions of the Ruska Roma and seeks vengeance for her father’s death. Directed by Len Wiseman and featuring Reeves, Ian McShane, Anjelica Huston, and the late Lance Reddick in his final role, the film’s action-packed sequences left de Armas battered but thrilled. “Everything hurt,” she laughed to Variety. “My hands, my nails were broken, bruises everywhere, my neck. It was a lot of fun actually.”
De Armas and Cruise’s frequent sightings together—dining in London, hopping off helicopters, and attending events like David Beckham’s birthday—sparked romance rumors, but de Armas clarified on Good Morning America and in Women’s Wear Daily that their connection is strictly professional. “Obviously, everyone knows I’m working with Tom Cruise,” she told WWD, praising Cruise and directors Liman and Christopher McQuarrie as a “great team.” Their upcoming film Deeper, a long-gestating project about an astronaut’s terrifying underwater encounter, is one of several collaborations in the works, promising more high-octane action.
Cruise’s vocal support for Ballerina and his push for theatrical experiences come as he promotes his own Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, out May 23, 2025. His passion for cinema shines through, whether he’s raving about de Armas’ “incredible ability” or cheering on other films like Brad Pitt’s F1. With Ballerina poised to deliver John Wick-style thrills and Cruise’s seal of approval, it’s no surprise fans are counting down to June 6. As de Armas put it, having stars like Cruise rooting for each other is what keeps Hollywood kicking.