Tom Cruise’s Missed Opportunity: Why He Turned Down the Iconic Role of Edward Scissorhands

The Missed Opportunity

Today, Tom Cruise is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. He is widely recognized for his iconic role as Ethan Hunt in the Mission Impossible series. However, there was a time when Cruise could have been the lead actor in another classic film. We are referring to the character Edward in Tim Burton’s masterpiece, Edward Scissorhands.

Edward Scissorhands, released in 1990, became a director’s classic. However, before it was assigned to Johnny Depp, Cruise was offered the role. Despite being known for his dedication to his characters, Cruise ultimately declined the opportunity due to some unanswered questions that bothered him deeply.

According to Caroline Thompson, the film’s screenwriter, Cruise had some unconventional and perplexing queries regarding the role. We can only speculate on what those questions might have been, but they were significant enough for Cruise to turn down the role. Consequently, Johnny Depp stepped in and delivered a remarkable performance in the film.

Tom Cruise, on the other hand, continued his journey towards stardom. He achieved widespread acclaim with movies like Interview with the Vampire in 1994 and the first Mission Impossible film in 1996. Cruise proved to be a master of making the right decisions and steadily climbed his way to the Hollywood A-list.

A Recap of Edward Scissorhands

Edward Scissorhands tells the story of an artificial man named Edward, who has scissors for hands. Created by an eccentric inventor, Edward lives alone in a Gothic mansion until he is discovered by Peg, a kind-hearted saleswoman who brings him home to live with her family in the suburbs.

Edward’s unique appearance and scissorhands make him an outcast in the community, but his gentle nature and artistic talent win over the neighborhood. He becomes a local sensation for his topiary sculptures and hair-styling skills, but his life takes a dark turn when a jealous neighbor frames him for a crime.

The film explores themes of love, acceptance, and the cruelty of society towards those who are different. Edward’s tragic and misunderstood character resonated with audiences, thanks in part to Johnny Depp’s nuanced performance.

While it’s intriguing to imagine Tom Cruise in the role of Edward, it’s hard to imagine anyone other than Johnny Depp capturing the character’s vulnerability and otherworldly charm.