02/19/2008
Eric Bana Talks Stand-Up Comedy and Kissing 'Tom Cruise' in GQ
Eric Bana, starring in this month's The Other Boleyn Girl, takes a spot on the March issue of GQ. He talks to the magazine about his various roles and his stand-up background and his work on the Australian sketch show Full Frontal, on which he performed a parody of Tom Cruise that he says he's sure Cruise hasn't seen (probably because he hasn't been on the receiving end of a lawsuit):
"Bana also does two excellent celebrity impressions, of Tom Cruise and Arnold Schwarzenegger, and in some of his funniest work separately interviews them in the guise of a third character, a real-life Aussie TV personality named Ray Martin. In the most provocative sketch of the entire series, Bana-as-Cruise chokes up while discussing his love for his kids, at which Bana-as-Martin comfortingly clasps the star’s hands. Startled, Cruise gazes at Martin. Then both men lean forward into a passionate kiss. 'I’m sure Tom hasn’t seen it,' Bana says uneasily when I bring up the sketch. He downplays what the sketch suggests about Cruise’s sexuality. Ray Martin, he says, is a notorious sycophant, and 'I wanted to get to the side of him being so in love with the person he’s interviewing that he wants to pash them.' Maybe so, but I think Bana’s being a bit disingenuous here. Watch the sketch for yourself on YouTube and tell me it’s not Cruise who initiates the pash."
I've posted the clip below:
One more shot AFTER THE JUMP...
WILL THE REAL ERIC BANA PLEASE STAND UP? [gq]
Previously
Eric Bana the Subject of a Royal Catfight [tr]
Posted 7:38 PM EST by Andy in Eric Bana, Magazines, News, Tom Cruise | Permalink
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nice shots, but they don't do him justice.
Bana is one of the most drop dead gorgeous men in Hollywood, these pics make him look like just another boy toy.
Posted by: rich | Feb 19, 2008 7:59:50 PM
Sorry, but Martin "starts" it by caressing "Tom's" wrist, lovingly, gently, meaningfully and with a true tenderness touched by passion and empathy, bringing Tom out of his self-involved pre-Oprah emoting and showing him the possibility of REAL love with a REAL man and I so loved it and just plain FREAK over Eric Bana, who can be my toy-boy any day.
Posted by: kyle michel sullivan | Feb 19, 2008 8:26:55 PM
Bana looks sooo much better furry and bearded! But of course at Bearotic we like 'em that way! :)
Here are some hairy pics of Bana showing his royal fur. Enjoy!
http://www.bearotic.com/2007/11/16/eric-bana-shows-us-his-royal-fur/
Posted by: Bearotic.com | Feb 19, 2008 8:49:48 PM
Though you wouldn't know it by some of the movies he's been in, Bana is a fantastic actor and talent. I had no idea his background was in comedy, though. I'd love to see him in some comedic roles.
Posted by: Ryan | Feb 20, 2008 3:01:12 AM
The funniest part is how he sits in the chair as Tom Cruise so as to appear only 5 feet tall. THANKS for he clip!
Posted by: Strepsi | Feb 20, 2008 6:46:20 AM
Eric Bana is gorgeous and talented beyond belief. He is "beyond perfect". EB was the only part of "Troy" worth watching but "Hulk" was a disaster despite him. His performance in "Munich" displayed the full range and depth of his talent. And yeah, he looks much better in his hirsute guise.
Posted by: rudy | Feb 20, 2008 7:51:41 AM
Didn't think it was such a spot-on impression of Cruise, actually. Love Bana in every other situation, though.
Posted by: Dr. Theopolis | Feb 20, 2008 2:07:26 PM
it's more like a tom cruise/jack nicholson/christian slater/christopher walken mish mash...
Posted by: gia | Feb 20, 2008 2:15:19 PM
Well Kyle, that's not what I'd call an initiation - just what could happen due to ambiguous non-verbal signs. But I'm less convinced of the explanation after watching the other video. He doesn't seem "in love" with Arnold at all - in fact, slightly disinterested.
Posted by: Me | Feb 20, 2008 3:19:51 PM
bana's yummy, cruise is gross but the impersonation still sucks.
Posted by: scott | Feb 20, 2008 4:25:29 PM
sorry, that cruise imitation is not that great....
Posted by: jmg | Feb 20, 2008 5:27:15 PM
hot but definately unfunny....
Posted by: alan brickman | Feb 20, 2008 11:16:05 PM
He is gorgeous and a great talent.. For both comedy and drama. I think he did the best job in Chopper and Munich.
Posted by: M | Feb 21, 2008 6:09:51 AM
Cruise's yummy, Bana is gross
Posted by: george | Feb 26, 2008 8:43:04 PM