James Corden and Tom Cruise Perform in ‘The Lion King’
James Corden has reunited with Tom Cruise ahead of the final episode of The Late Late Show. Corden, 44, mustered up his courage to accomplish one final mission with the actor, this time without his life being at stake.
The British comedian Facetimed the Top Gun: Maverick star, 60, to ask him to lunch and “much, much more” while Cruise was jumping out of a plane. When Cruise arrived at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre to meet him, Corden informed him it was finally time to enter his world of musical theater.
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The pair had previously done Cruise’s signature adrenaline-fuel activities, including flying a fighter jet and jumping out of an airplane on the show. He finally revealed his big plan was for them to perform live in The Lion King. Though Cruise initially denied him, Corden was able to persuade him to go ahead with the performance.
Corden introduced himself to their new castmates as a veteran of theater. He then joked that Tom had “limited or next to no theatrical experience.” This made Tom self-conscious, as he listed his worries of the live audience, singing, puppets, and dance. James talked him down by saying they will “set this place on fire because you’re Tom Cruise.”
He gave Cruise an intense cram session ahead of their performance. Performing in front of the packed theater, Corden and Cruise walked up to the stage in a conjoined rhinoceros costume while performing “The Circle of Life.” Next, Cruise returned to the stage as Pumbaa and Corden was Timon for a performance of “Hakuna Matata.” At the end of it all, Cruise became a lover of theater.
Watch their performance of The Lion King below:
