Tom Cruise Teleconference 4 - War of the Worlds Previous Operator: The next question is from Jason Mogavéro.   Jason Mogavero: It is Mogávero but I get that all the time. Nice to talk to you, Tom. Actually my question is kind of now a follow-up to a question that was asked earlier. You mentioned kind of how World War II has become a malleable story that speaks to audiences of different times and places in history with British colonialism in the late 19th century and then the Orson Welles' radio play and the George Pal film. So my question is how did you and Steven approach making this movie in the context of 2005? How does this speak to audiences today? Tom Cruise: I actually think it is a universal theme because what would happen if all mankind were attacked by an enemy? We each have different feelings about that. My personal view is that when you look at mankind we do have natural enemies. I just don't think that mankind is actually cognizant of it, which is the hidden enemies of illiteracy, of drug addiction, of crime and immorality. Those things -- it doesn't matter who you are, what color your skin is, what you believe it, what part of the earth you live on, you will be affected by those things. So those are the natural enemies of man and that is stemming that tide for cultural elevation.   Those things -- when you look at it…how does man behave? Man on man in terms of war? I think that is in terms of what I was interested in looking at what happens if the whole world is being…that person is going to bring their subjective reality to the film and it is going to be whatever is personally however they feel. It is a movie that you can just take the ride, the emotional ride of the picture or you can relate to whatever personal thing that is going on in your life. But to me those are the things that I felt, believe and know that those are the common enemies of man. Jason Mogavero: So you would say that you are trying to make a movie that transcends temporality and the fact that it is set in 2005 is coincidental? It is more of a universally-themed movie? Tom Cruise: Absolutely. I think when you look at great sci-fi and I don't know if you have read a lot of sci-fi but great sci-fi… Jason Mogavero: Oh, are you kidding? Tom Cruise: Yes, I love it. Jason Mogavero: I grew up on the 1953 version of this movie. I am so excited to see it.   Tom Cruise: I hope you dig it. You see that there are characters that you can relate to and there are themes that when they are classics that are timeless. I think the “War of the Worlds” theme it is timeless. It can be represented in any era and any walk of life really. Jason Mogavero: Exactly. All right. Well, thank you very much. Tom Cruise: Thanks, Jason. Michael Agulnek: I am sorry, but I think we have time for just one more question.   Operator: The next one is from Julian Bond. Julian Bond: Hey, what's up, Tom? Tom Cruise: Hey, how are you, man? Julian Bond: Pretty good. How are you doing? Tom Cruise:  Good.   Julian Bond:  Okay. A couple of questions for you. With old movie remakes and adaptations being made like every two seconds in Hollywood, do you think that this trend is becoming (inaudible)…and to original (inaudible)? Or do you think that it is something owed to their predecessors? Tom Cruise: I have to note first of all, this isn't a remake of “War of the Worlds.” It is not a remake. Both of us really liked the book and it is a great story. So you have to go…when you hear a story it is what we feel about this particular…it is our interpretation, it is a create based on something else. A remake you have to say is something where even when I did “Vanilla Sky” you go it is an interpretation of an original piece and something that inspires you. I think that it is…I don't have any problem with that at all if it is…when you see a story and you say I would like to tell that story it goes all the way to Homer. Homer tells a story and Homer hears a story and then he interprets the story and the story just goes on forever and people get inspired by it and their interpretation of that. It doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't have originality to it just because it is derived from another source. I mean it can be just a derivative where you go, “Ah.” Or you can take that and make it your own and create it and have it be an original. I think especially when you are working with someone like Steven Spielberg, who is totally an original and anyone who really understands his movies and his storytelling, that is undeniable. Next		Home Interviews Antoine Fuqua Interview King Arthur Interview Arv Grewal Interview Asia Argento Interview Behind the Scenes of "War of the Worlds" Bernie Goldmann Interview Clive Owen Interview Dakota Fanning Interview Dennis Hopper Interview George A Romero Interview Greg Nicotero Interview The Hulk Press Conference Ang Lee Press Conference Ioan Gruffudd Interview John Leguizamo Interview Kathleen Kennedy Interview Keira Knightley Interview