Redstone, who was seen dining with Cruise in Beverly Hills in March, was responding to a reporter's question after a speech at a conference in South Korea. When Redstone cut the relationship with Cruise he cited the actor's "recent conduct." Their split came after Cruise jumped on a couch while he was a guest on Oprah Winfrey's TV show and had a tussle with "Today" show host Matt Lauer over antidepressant drugs. The 84-year-old Redstone said Tuesday that he did not know if Cruise would be chosen for the film. "That's up to Brad Gray, who runs Paramount," Redstone said. "He will make the decision.
Cruise can star in next 'Mission Impossible'
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -May 6, 2008 Redstone - executive chairman and controlling shareholder of
Viacom Inc. and CBS Corp. - ended a 14-year relationship with
Cruise and his producing partner in August 2006, kicking them off
the Paramount Pictures lot and ending their lucrative deal to
develop projects for the studio.
Despite the severed relationship, Cruise, 45, is in talks with
Paramount to star in a fourth "Mission: Impossible" film. Viacom
is Paramount's parent company.
"I consider Tom Cruise a great actor and a good friend,"
Redstone said. "And if Paramount decides - and they will make the
decision - to move ahead with him, I will not object."