British actress Rosamund Pike opened up about a touching moment of support from Tom Cruise ahead of filming the 2014 thriller Gone Girl. Speaking on The Graham Norton Show on November 7, 2025, Pike revealed that she reached out to her former Jack Reacher co-star when she felt overwhelmed and anxious about taking on the role of Amy Elliott Dunne.
Feeling Overwhelmed Before Gone Girl
Pike, now 46, shared that the night before filming Gone Girl, she was “terrified” and “couldn’t sleep.” In a heartfelt move, she wrote to Tom Cruise at 4 a.m., admitting she felt unprepared for the role.
“I wasn’t up to the role and I was terrified,” Pike recalled. “And he sent me the kindest letter immediately saying, ‘You’ve got this and you are ready.’”
The gesture made a lasting impression on Pike. “It was such a significant gesture from someone with such a level of fame,” she explained during the show, which also featured guests Glen Powell, Michelle Yeoh, Jack Whitehall, and Ed Sheeran.
Pike’s Breakthrough Performance
Despite her anxiety, Pike delivered a career-defining performance as Amy Dunne in David Fincher’s adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s novel. Her portrayal earned her a first-time Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, alongside numerous other accolades. The film was produced by Reese Witherspoon, further cementing Pike’s role in one of the decade’s most critically acclaimed thrillers.
Current and Upcoming Projects
On The Graham Norton Show, Pike also discussed her upcoming role in Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, where she plays a villainous character. She explained that preparing for the role involved research into the arms trade, though she humorously noted that the individuals she found were far less sinister than expected.
“It is a gorgeous movie, and I relish being a villain,” Pike said.
Pike also has other projects in the works, including the comedy Ladies First. Now You See Me: Now You Don’t is set to hit theaters on November 14, 2025.
Tom Cruise’s Encouragement Made a Difference
Pike’s anecdote highlights the supportive relationships that can shape an actor’s career. Cruise, 63, has long been known for mentoring and encouraging fellow actors, and Pike’s story demonstrates the profound impact of even a small gesture from a Hollywood icon.
“It was such a significant gesture,” Pike reflected, “and it meant the world to me at that time.”
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