Tom Cruise whipped off his sunglasses and flashed a winning smile as he greeted a ballroom packed with local and international journalists in Mexico City Monday (MAY1). He is in town to promote his new film, "Mission: Impossible III," which will hit Mexican theatres May 5, the same day as it debuts in the United States.
During the conference, Cruise fielded questions about his personal life and his work as an actor, and displaying infectious enthusiasm for the film, which he produced himself.
"We really wanted a story that''s going to leave the audience feeling emboldened and empowered when they leave the theatre," Cruise said.
Cruise, 43, previously starred in "Mission: Impossible" (1996), directed by Brian De Palma, and "Mission: Impossible II" (2000) directed by John Woo.
The film debuts amid controversy about Cruise''s interest in Scientology and his relationship with 27-year-old actress Katie Holmes. The couple''s first child, daughter Suri, was born in April in Los Angeles. Cruise also has two other children from his marriage to ex-wife Nicole Kidman.
"The hours go by so quickly, as I just stare at her," Cruise said of spending time with his newborn.
When a reporter asked about a widely circulated comment Cruise made in an interview with the magazine GQ about eating his child''s placenta, Cruise laughed heartily and said, "That''s ridiculous."
He later said he doesn''t pay attention to criticism he hears in the media about his personal life. After the conference, Cruise came down from the stage and mingled with journalists and photographers.
As secret agent Ethan Hunt, Cruise faces up to international arms dealer Owen Davian, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman. The adventure takes place when Hunt''s boss, John Brassel, played by Laurence Fishburne, asks him to rescue a captured agent in Berlin.
Other supporting stars include Billy Crudup, Ving Rhames, Michelle Monaghan, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Keri Russell and Maggie Q.
The plot deals with the conflict between love and work, friendship, and the possibility of failure, but like its predecessors, also contains state of the art special effects and ever more daring stunts.
Cruise began prepping for his role as Secret Agent Ethan Hunt while starring in Steven Spielberg''s "War of the Worlds," which grossed $591 million worldwide, a career record for Cruise and Paramount Pictures'' highest-earning opening weekend.
The franchise is based on the 1960''s television show "Mission Impossible," in which a group of government agents battle against the bad guys in assignments from a mysterious "Secretary."
"Mission: Impossible III" was directed by J.J. Abrams, who also created the television series "Lost" and "Alias."
"He''s a sensational filmmaker," Cruise said. "I wanted a J.J. Abrams Mission Impossible."
