Diane Lane Impressed by Tom Cruise’s Commitment During the Making of ‘The Outsiders’
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Diane Lane recollects her time working with Tom Cruise on the 1983 film ‘The Outsiders’ and expresses her admiration for his dedication to his craft.
Taking a trip down memory lane, Lane reflects on her experience with Cruise on the set of the coming-of-age drama, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, over four decades ago. The film featured Lane, Cruise, along with a talented cast that included Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, and other rising stars of that era.
The actress reveals an incident that left a lasting impression on her, stating, “I just remember that story of Tom Cruise making sure that it was evident that his tooth was knocked out in the rumble, and I thought, ‘That’s impressive. That’s commitment.'”
Based on the novel by S.E. Hinton, ‘The Outsiders’ follows the story of teen Ponyboy Curtis and his Greasers gang as they clash with their rivals, the Socs, in 1960s Oklahoma. Cruise’s character, Steve Randle, was recognized for his tough persona, complete with a crooked smile.
Addressing Cruise’s method acting approach, director Coppola shared in a Deadline interview, “I was impressed by his willingness to go to extremes in creating a character. If the role called for a chipped tooth, he would willingly chip his tooth.”
In a podcast interview in 2023, Rob Lowe, who also starred in the film, affirmed longstanding rumors about Cruise purposely removing a tooth for his role. Lowe mentioned the competitive spirit on set, giving insight into the actors’ dedication to their craft.
Lane reminisces about the dynamic on set during night shoots, recalling the male actors’ interactions and how they navigated between staying in character and engaging in playful banter to stay awake. She shares her observations from the sidelines, considering the balance between being in character and simply being actors at work.
During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, Lane discussed her time working with the young male talents in ‘The Outsiders,’ describing the experience as both exhilarating and overwhelming due to the abundance of testosterone on set.
Currently, Lane can be seen in the dystopian drama ‘Anniversary,’ portraying Ellen Taylor, a college professor caught in the midst of a family crisis fueled by a political movement. The film explores themes of social and political unrest, delving into the complexities of family dynamics during challenging times.
‘Anniversary’ is now playing in cinemas nationwide, offering viewers a glimpse into Lane’s portrayal of a character navigating through personal and societal turmoil.
As Lane continues her successful career in Hollywood, her recollections of working with Cruise on ‘The Outsiders’ serve as a testament to the enduring impact of shared experiences in filmmaking. Lane’s admiration for Cruise’s commitment to his craft shines through as a reminder of the dedication required to bring characters and stories to life on screen.