And so Tom Cruise, got his honorary Oscar Award, for his legacy in cinema. Years of Ethan Hunt running from enemies, hanging from helicopters, swerving around corners on Harleys, flying Honda Jets, leaping off buildings, diffusing bombs, breaking his own bones — an amazing career. Just running, running, jumping, ducking! The Academy Committee thought it was time to give the great man something of note. Why they gave it to him in November, and not just waited for March 2026 I’ve not understood. But, hey, ours is not to question. Point is that he now has an Oscar.

Standing next to Cruise, as he spoke about “how grateful he was”, was Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Innaritu. A cinematic marriage made in heaven, as the director of Birdman and the hero of Top Gun announced they were collaborating on a new film at this Oscar ceremony. The film is still untitled. But the expectations are huge.