Simon Pegg clarifies Tom Cruise comments

Simon Pegg has insisted his comments about Tom Cruise’s lack of accountability were a “running joke” between the pair.

The 52-year-old star caused a stir on Saturday (11.06.22) when he claimed in an interview that his ‘Mission: Impossible’ co-star “maintains his authority by never being to blame for anything” and “flatly denies” anything ever being his fault, but the ‘Hot Fuzz’ actor has now clarified his comments.

He said in an Instagram Live video: “I’m currently trending on Twitter for something I said in the Times interview about Tom Cruise never accepting responsibility for his mistakes… like it isn’t just a f****** running joke that we have. Stop being so f****** literal.”

In the interview, Simon claimed Tom had told him not to admit to his mistakes on set.

He said of the ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ actor: “If something goes wrong and it’s his fault, he’ll flatly deny it. And then if someone corrects him, instead of saying sorry, he’ll just say, ‘Yeah,’ and wink at me.

“I admitted f****** up once and he said – with a wry smile, I hasten to add – ‘Simon, don’t do that.’ He maintains his authority by never being to blame for anything.”

Simon also believes that Tom is totally comfortable with his own fame.

He shared: “He understands that’s the price for the level of movie star he is. He’s perhaps the only movie star left.”

Simon previously described Tom as an “incredibly generous performer”.

He said: “It’s always fun. He’s an incredibly generous performer. He cares a lot about everybody else.

“He’s always hanging out around the monitor … after hanging off an airplane, he’s worried about me doing a fistfight which isn’t particularly scary.”

Simon also revealed that Tom has high standards and an impressive work ethic.

He explained: “I like it because there’s a normal person there, there’s a regular person that people tend to never see, and he’s aware of who he is and what he’s become.

“I’ve always had a good experience with Tom. You know you’re working on something which is going to be executed with 100 percent commitment and enthusiasm. It’s nice to have that as the standard.”