For the exciting sci-fi thriller starring Tom Cruise, which is airing on TV tonight, one of the busiest streets in the world was cleared – just for one scene.
Imagine you are filmmaker Cameron Crowe and have previously made down-to-earth films like Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous. Then you are supposed to make a Hollywood remake of a Spanish sci-fi thriller and spend a whopping million US dollars on the opening scene alone.
This is exactly what happened in the case of the film Vanilla Sky with Tom Cruise, which can be seen on German television tonight.
Sci-Fi thriller Vanilla Sky on TV: Tom Cruise runs through one of the most expensive scenes of all time
When the conceited playboy David (Cruise) meets Sofia (Penélope Cruz) at a party, he thinks he has found the love of his life. His jealous lover Julie (Cameron Diaz) then pushes David and herself off a bridge with a car, killing her and leaving him disfigured.
The first reunion with Sofia some time later is anything but rosy, but the two surprisingly patch up their relationship and David’s face is even miraculously restored. But then strange things happen, raising even stranger questions.
Vanilla Sky is a remake of the Spanish film Open Your Eyes by Alejandro Amenábar, in which Cruz previously played the same role. The original film begins with a dream sequence in which the protagonist walks through a deserted Madrid. For the US version, the entire Times Square in New York was cleared in one of the most expensive single scenes of all time, through which Cruise walks at the beginning of the film without any effects. It is still impressive to watch today.
What also couldn’t have been cheap is the title song by former Beatle Paul McCartney. All in all, it was a mid-budget sci-fi film (remember?) of 68 million US dollars, which was a success with an international box office grossing of 203 million (according to Box Office Mojo ).
A romantic mystery with a sci-fi twist, the convoluted story has plenty to keep you entertained, with supporting roles played by the likes of Kurt Russell, Tilda Swinton and Michael Shannon.
When and where can Vanilla Sky be seen on TV?
Vanilla Sky will be shown on Wednesday, April 9 at 8:15 p.m. on Arte in German free TV. The film will also be available online in the Arte media library on the same day. Alternatively, the sci-fi thriller can be streamed in the flat rate on Paramount+.
