15 Young Actors Who Could be the Next Tom Cruise

Action stars who carry massive franchises tend to bring a mix of physical commitment, precise stunt work, and a steady stream of crowd moving hits. Tom Cruise built that template with years of training for demanding set pieces and a track record of films that thrive on momentum and practical spectacle. A new wave of talent is building similar resumes through hands on preparation and repeat work in high pressure roles.

Below are fifteen young actors whose filmographies already show deep involvement in action heavy projects, intensive physical training, and collaboration with crews known for practical effects. Each profile highlights credits, skills, and franchise experience that map to the kind of longevity and reliability audiences associate with a true big screen closer.

Tom Holland

Tom Holland became a global lead with the Marvel run that began in ‘Captain America: Civil War’ and continued through ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ and its sequels. He added treasure hunt adventure credentials with ‘Uncharted’ and built a foundation in movement from gymnastics and stage training that translates to wire work and complex choreography. His film sets often require aerial gags, precision flips, and extended sequences that keep him in harnesses for long hours.

Holland works frequently inside effects heavy environments while still performing practical beats like wall climbs, controlled falls, and midair rotations. He has navigated multi film continuity on tight timelines and media tours while keeping a steady training routine for agility and balance, which supports fast turnaround between reshoots and action pickups.

Glen Powell

Glen Powell stepped into high intensity aviation filming with ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ after previous roles in ensemble projects. The production placed actors in real cockpits with Navy supervised flights that subjected them to significant g forces while they managed in camera performance. He followed that with the aerial combat film ‘Devotion’ and continued building large scale theatrical momentum with ‘Twisters’.

Powell’s preparation has included survival training modules for flight sequences and repeated camera rehearsals inside cramped aircraft spaces. On set he has worked with military advisors and aerial units that emphasize practical capture, giving him experience with long days under safety protocols, oxygen management, and precise cue hitting inside moving jets.

Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan established full contact conditioning through the ‘Creed’ series, which demanded months of boxing drills, sparring rounds, and fight scene rehearsals that ran through entire bouts in a single take. He expanded his action profile with the role of Erik Killmonger in ‘Black Panther’ and took on directing duties for ‘Creed III’, coordinating with choreographers and second unit for ring coverage.

Jordan’s work involves repeated weight cuts, endurance training, and extensive pad work that shapes realistic combinations for the camera. He has also handled military style weapon handling in titles like ‘Without Remorse’, which adds small unit tactics and room clearing to a skill set already grounded in timing heavy hand to hand choreography.

Taron Egerton

Taron Egerton broke out as a lead in ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’, where he trained for tailored suit fight scenes built around long takes and precise prop interaction. He returned in ‘Kingsman: The Golden Circle’ and later shifted into different genres with ‘Rocketman’ and ‘Tetris’, while continuing to work with teams that emphasize practical stunt integration.

Egerton’s action preparation has included pad drills, knife safety basics, and work with stunt doubles to map camera angles for clean hits. He has carried pressurized fight units that shoot late nights and run multiple resets for table leaps and stair falls, along with firearm safety checks that keep sequences moving at pace.

John David Washington

John David Washington entered large scale action with ‘Tenet’, which used complex choreography that played forward and in reverse inside the same scene. He followed with ‘The Creator’ and earlier handled chase and fight work in ‘Beckett’. His background as a former professional athlete supports sprint based movement and stamina for repeated takes.

Washington trains for power generation and footwork patterns that read clearly on camera, often running drills that line up with lens placement and timing marks on set. He has worked extensively with wire rigs and vehicle units for on location work that includes confined spaces and quick transitions between dialogue and combat beats.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Aaron Taylor Johnson built early action experience in ‘Kick Ass’ and expanded it with ensemble work in ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’. He later headlined high speed set pieces in ‘Bullet Train’, coordinating with stunt teams for hallway fights, weapon disarms, and moving train gags. He has continued to lead action centered productions with a focus on close quarters work.

Taylor Johnson’s preparation covers weapons safety, grappling basics, and flexibility drills that support long shooting days with minimal downtime. He has collaborated with second unit directors known for stylized action, which requires consistent rhythm across multiple angles and precise mark hitting during practical effects cues.

Dev Patel

Dev Patel shifted decisively into action with ‘Monkey Man’, where he served as star, co writer, and director. The film features extended hand to hand sequences, improvised weapons, and fast transitions between environments, which he planned with a small core team to keep choreography tight and camera friendly. Earlier roles in ‘The Green Knight’ and ‘Lion’ show range that supports intense physical storytelling when required.

Patel trained through striking and clinch drills and worked with stunt coordinators to design scenes that could be executed inside limited spaces with minimal cuts. He has spoken about building action around character motivation and geography, which involves rehearsals that lock in foot placement, sight lines, and prop moves before the cameras roll.

Simu Liu

Simu Liu entered the global action space with ‘Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’, combining martial arts choreography with large scale visual effects. He began his screen career with background and stunt adjacent work that included practical movement and tumbling, which helps with rhythm and safety on busy sets.

Liu trains regularly in striking, acrobatics, and flexibility, working closely with fight teams to adjust choreography for camera speed and lens choice. On productions he has coordinated wire cues, landing zones, and pad placement for long takes, which supports clean execution and faster resets during action coverage.

Austin Butler

Austin Butler delivered large scale combat work as Feyd Rautha in ‘Dune Part Two’, which required sword training, conditioning for arena sequences, and heavy prosthetic sessions under hot lights. He also completed intensive period military preparation for ‘Masters of the Air’, which involved historical drills and work inside aircraft sets.

Butler’s preparation has included blade safety, partner drills, and footwork mapping for sand and arena surfaces. He has worked under heavy makeup and wardrobe while maintaining speed and accuracy in fight scenes, which demands heat management, hydration discipline, and coordination with costume teams to keep gear functional across multiple takes.

Paul Mescal

Paul Mescal took on large scale historical action as the lead in the next chapter of the ‘Gladiator’ saga, training for sword and shield movement and the demands of arena combat. He previously built credibility through intense dramatic work in ‘Normal People’ and stage productions that require physical control and breath management.

Mescal’s fight preparation includes conditioning for shield weight, partner timing for blade exchanges, and rehearsals that match specific arena geography. He has worked with dialect and movement coaches in parallel, aligning posture and stance with period armor while staying responsive to camera placement and crowd direction.

Bill Skarsgård

Bill Skarsgård expanded his action presence with ‘John Wick Chapter 4’ and then led a barrage of physical sequences in ‘Boy Kills World’. He also headlined ‘The Crow’, which uses vertical movement, wire assists, and night shoots with rain rigs that complicate footing and visibility.

Skarsgård’s training has focused on striking rhythm, balance under wet surfaces, and coordination with stunt partners for long takes. He has completed detailed weapon handling rehearsals and adapted to environments that mix practical rain, fire elements, and low light conditions, all of which demand clear communication with safety teams.

Lewis Tan

Lewis Tan brings lifelong martial arts experience to screen roles, including ‘Mortal Kombat’ and the series ‘Into the Badlands’ and ‘Wu Assassins’. He often performs his own fight scenes, working closely with choreographers to adjust combinations that play to fluid kicks, spinning attacks, and acrobatic transitions.

Tan’s on set work includes stunt pre visualization sessions, rehearsal footage review, and camera tests that refine distance and timing for safe contact. He draws on family experience in stunt coordination, which helps him navigate rigging meetings, pad layouts, and contingency planning for complex moves.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Yahya Abdul Mateen II combined wire work and underwater shooting as Black Manta in ‘Aquaman’ and returned for its sequel. He added hand to hand and firearm training for ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ and delivered award winning work in ‘Watchmen’, which also included physical scenes that required precise blocking.

Abdul Mateen prepares through strength and conditioning programs that support heavy suit work and long days inside helmets and harnesses. He has coordinated with dive teams and rigging crews to manage visibility limits and oxygen pacing, which are key for safely executing underwater and elevated sequences.

Richard Madden

Richard Madden led intense close protection action in ‘Bodyguard’, handling foot chases, stairwell fights, and live street locations with heavy crowd control. He then took on global espionage in ‘Citadel’, balancing large set pieces with gadget work and multilingual shoots across different countries. He also played Ikaris in ‘Eternals’, which required repeated wire assists for flight.

Madden trains for sprint endurance, clinch control, and firearm safety while working with movement coaches for low profile body language that suits security roles. He has experience with night shoots, public locations, and complex call sheets that mix dialogue and action beats across multiple units.

Henry Golding

Henry Golding stepped into sword focused action with ‘Snake Eyes’, training in katana basics, tumbling, and mask restricted movement. Earlier credits in ‘The Gentlemen’ introduced him to ensemble crime action with quick dialogue and sudden bursts of violence, which requires tight timing with stunt and camera teams.

Golding’s preparation covers blade drills, parkour elements, and weapon retention under costume layers. He has managed action work that blends practical fights with visual effects cleanup, coordinating with departments to keep continuity across takes that involve prop changes and scabbard work.

Share the actors you would add to this list in the comments so everyone can compare notes and discover more rising action leads.