Oscars 2023 Nominees Luncheon Highlights: The Tom Cruise Factor And More
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Academy president also reiterated her wish to leave behind the "unprecedented" controversy, when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock live on the Oscars before being banned
Tom Cruise lived up to his billing as the "last true movie star" as nearly 200 of this year's Oscar nominees gathered to celebrate -- and size up their competition - at the Academy's boozy annual luncheon Monday. In a room packed with A-listers such as Steven Spielberg and Cate Blanchett, there was no doubt Cruise remained the biggest draw, with a crowd of well wishers from Hollywood moguls to Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai lining up to greet him throughout the event. Tom Cruise is nominated this year as a producer of "Top Gun: Maverick," in which he also starred. The film is considered a growing frontrunner for the best picture Oscar - Hollywood's most prestigious prize.
"It's been incredible... I just want to get people into theaters," Tom Cruise told AFP.
"But this is lovely," he admitted, motioning to the Beverly Hills ballroom, packed with Oscar nominees and Academy voters, and kitted out with giant golden statuettes and open champagne bars.
The 95th Academy Awards will be held on March 12.
