Jessica Chastain did 'Zero Dark Thirty' because of Tom Cruise?

Los Angeles [USA], April 04 (ANI): Did you love Jessica Chastain's portrayal of Maya in 'Zero Dark Thirty'? Well, if yes, then you should thank Tom Cruise for that. If it was not for him, she would never have been a part of this Oscar-winning project. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the 40-year-old-actress revealed that Tom Cruise was the person who made it possible for her to do 'Zero Dark Thirty'. "I was signed to do another movie. I was contractually obligated to do something else that I was really wanting to do, and I was excited to do [the 2013 thriller 'Oblivion,' starring Cruise]. But when this came my way, I realized I had to do this. And the person who made it possible for me to do this movie is Tom Cruise," she said. Adding, "Someone contacted him from my agency and said, 'Listen, she wants to work with you. And she would love to, but there is this other film, and it's so important.' And he said, 'OK, we're going to let you out of your contract." Jessica even said that though they have never worked together, she would love to as she is really "grateful" to him. "I really hope to find something in the future to do with him because I'm very grateful." She added, "I've seen him afterwards. And I was like, 'Dude, you're awesome!'." The 'Miss Sloane' star also recalled the moment when she was asked to play the role of a CIA agent in the movie. "I got cold-called by [director] Kathryn Bigelow. I was in Toronto, and I had heard from [producer] Megan Ellison. We had done a film, [2012's] 'Lawless,' together. 'By the way, do you know Kathryn Bigelow's trying to get a hold of you? She wants to meet with you on something.' And I was like, 'What? Please give her my number'," the actress shared. 'Zero Dark Thirty' was based on the decade-long hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden, post the September 2001 attacks, and his death at the hands of the Navy S.E.A.L.s Team 6, in May 2011. The movie got nominated for five Oscars at 85th Academy Awards, including 'Best Picture' and 'Best Actress' nomination for Jessica Chastain and won the golden statuette for 'Achievement in Sound Editing.' (ANI)