Few actors are as synonymous with awkwardness as Michael Cera, making it crucial to avoid situations that could amplify this reputation. Yet, in a surprising twist of fate, Tom Cruise, the action star known for his intense roles, did just that. Their encounter at a major event showcased the unexpected dynamics between two very different personalities in the entertainment industry.

Although Michael Cera and Tom Cruise have never collaborated on a film (imagine the plot twists!), they both graced the stage at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards. During this event, Cruise made a memorable cameo as Les Grossman, while Cera participated by co-presenting the award for Best WTF Moment. It was during a pre-recorded segment that Cera found himself in a humorous yet slightly uncomfortable position with Cruise. He recounted this experience on Louis Theroux’s podcast, sharing, “The first moment I had with him, I arrived, they were shooting, and I was talking to the writer…We were just kind of mumbling while they were shooting, but they could hear us. It was just like 40 feet away. And Tom Cruise looks at me, I’ve never met him, and they’re in the middle of a take, and he looks, and he goes, ‘Is that Michael Cera talking during a f*cking take?’ He was joking, but it was also like, ‘Do shut up,’ you know? But so surreal.” He continued, “Then I met him, he is like, ‘Talking during a f*cking take,’. I knew he was playing around, so I was like, ‘Hey man, it wasn’t me, it was the writer.’ He was like, ‘I’m kidding, I’m kidding.’’ And I was like, ‘I’m kidding, me too.’”

This encounter undoubtedly stands out as a memorable anecdote for Michael Cera from such a prestigious award show. While Cruise claimed that his comments were all in good fun, it’s no secret that he approaches filmmaking and the atmosphere of movie sets with an unwavering seriousness. Remember his notorious outburst on the set of Dead Reckoning during the pandemic? That’s a clear indication that he is someone whose temper you wouldn’t want to provoke on set—and honestly, who could blame him for being so passionate about his craft?

Now, while Tom Cruise may have stepped back from the promotional circuit following his latest portrayal of Ethan Hunt, he continues to show up for friends at significant premieres, such as those for Interview with the Vampire alongside co-star Brad Pitt and the F1 racing events. However, it raises the question: Where was he to support Michael Cera during the crucial red carpet event for The Phoenician Scheme? Fans can’t help but wonder about the camaraderie between these two actors.