By Erika Hanson | Published
Thirty years, fans of Interview with the Vampire I look back on the vampire film that shook the film genre with interest. The film was a huge success for many reasons, including the stellar cast. But not everyone was happy with the casting choice when the film was released, as the screenwriter, Anne Rice, disapproved of Tom Cruise’s casting as Lestat, even if she eventually changed her mind.
When it was announced that Tom Cruise would play The Brat Prince himself, many were surprised. By the early 1990s, Cruise was already famous, but he didn’t have to play a bad role. But fans of the 1976 novel thought the release was over, and Anne Rice immediately agreed.
Anne Rice Rallies Against Tom Cruise
According to Esquire, the famous writer even ignored the decision along with his fans in a fan-led event to boycott the casting of Tom Cruise as Lestat. It is said that he did not agree with the decision to cast Brad Pitt as Louis. However, Rice was not opposed to Pitt playing a vampire; he just felt better suited for the role of Lestat.
Anne Rice’s rivalry with the studio did not end there. When director Neil Jordan stood by his casting decision despite The Vampire Chronicles creator strongly objecting to it, the writer took out an 8-page ad in Variety to further voice his anger at Tom Cruise’s casting.
The Apology
Despite his initial reservations about the film version of Interview with the VampireAnne Rice viewed it with skepticism after its release, completely changing her opinion of Top shot actor performance. Despite being praised for his portrayal of Lestat, Anne Rice called the star and apologized for the way she treated him.
Like everyone else who enjoyed it Interview with the VampireAnne Rice quickly realized that Tom Cruise nailed her image of Lestat de Lioncourt. He even compared his performance to Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet, praising his take on the vampire as unforgettable. “Others may play the role one day, but no one will ever forget Tom’s version,” Rice said.
Other Actors Who Played Lestat
After Interview with the Vampirea resounding success, others went on to portray the vampire Lestat after Tom Cruise refused to reprise the role. A Lestat-centric sequence, Queen of the Damned released in 2002 by Stuart Townsend’s take on Lestat as a modern rocker. The movie ended up being pretty good, Townsend’s performance can’t hold a candle to Tom Cruise’s.
In 2022, actor Sam Reid was offered the chance to play Lestat on AMC Interview with the Vampire series. The series was praised by critics and viewers alike, with Reid’s portrayal being a highlight of the show as fans felt he was the most believable version of Lestat. Anne Rice passed away before the show aired, but it would be interesting to know how Reid’s Lestat compares to Tom Cruise’s.
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