Beloved Author Hated Tom Cruise Casting In Famous Movie Adaptation
For three decades, fans of Interview with the Vampire have looked back at the vampire film that rocked the movie genre with admiration. The film was a major success for multiple reasons, including a stellar cast. But not everyone was fond of the casting choices when the film was released, as the author of the story, Anne Rice, despised the casting of Tom Cruise as Lestat, even if she eventually changed her mind.
When it was announced that Tom Cruise would be taking on The Brat Prince himself, many were intrigued. By the early ‘90s, Cruise was already a household name, but he had yet to take on a villainous role. But fans of the 1976 novel thought the casting was off, and Anne Rice instantly agreed.
Anne Rice Rallies Against Tom Cruise
According to Esquire, the famed author went as far as bashing the decision along with her fans at a fan-led event boycotting the casting of Tom Cruise as Lestat. She allegedly even disagreed with the decision to cast Brad Pitt as Louis. However, Rice wasn’t against Pitt playing a vampire; she just felt he was better suited for the role of Lestat.
Anne Rice’s feud with the studio didn’t stop there. When director Neil Jordan stood by his casting decision despite the creator of The Vampire Chronicles so heavily rallying against it, the author took out an 8-page ad in Variety to further voice her anger over Tom Cruise’s casting.
The Apology
Despite her initial reservations about the film version of Interview with the Vampire, Anne Rice reluctantly watched it after its release, completely changing her opinion of the Top Gun actor’s performance. With nothing but praise for his portrayal of Lestat, Anne Rice personally telephoned the star to apologize for how she treated him.
As with everyone else who enjoyed Interview with the Vampire, Anne Rice quickly realized that Tom Cruise nailed his portrayal of Lestat de Lioncourt. She even compared his performance to that of Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet, admiring his take on the vampire as being unforgettable. “Others may play the role some day, but no one will ever forget Tom’s version of it,” Rice said.
Other Actors Who Took On Lestat
After Interview with the Vampire’s resounding success, others did go on to portray the vampire Lestat after Tom Cruise refused to reprise the role. A Lestat-centric sequel, Queen of the Damned released in 2002 with Stuart Townsend taking on Lestat as a modern-day rocker. The movie ended up being a major flop, with Townsend’s performance not being able to hold a candle to Tom Cruise’s.
In 2022, actor Sam Reid was given the chance to portray Lestat in AMC’s Interview with the Vampire series. The series has been hailed by critics and audiences alike, with Reid’s portrayal being a highlight of the show as fans feel he’s a much more believable version of Lestat. Anne Rice passed away before the show aired, but it would be interesting to know how she would compare Reid’s Lestat to Tom Cruise’s.
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