Director Steven Spielberg met Hollywood star Tom Cruise at Tuesday’s Oscar nominees luncheon, where the veteran filmmaker thanked his Minority Report and War of the Worlds actor for saving the theatrical movie business with his Top Gun: Maverick.

In an Instagram video, posted by The Elephant Whisperers director Kartiki Gonsalves, Spielberg is heard saying to Cruise that the star’s Top Gun: Maverick had probably saved “Hollywood’s ass” the entire theatrical industry. Soon after being posted on social media, the video has gone viral on Twitter.

Both Spielberg and Cruise are in the running for best picture this year for The Fabelmans and Top Gun: Maverick, respectively. Spielberg has also been nominated for the best director and best original screenplay categories.

Released on May 27, 2022, Top Gun: Maverick was the second movie to gross over USD 1 billion at the worldwide box office after the pandemic. The sequel to 1986’s aviation action drama Top Gun, the film became a breakout blockbuster.

The 95th Academy Awards will be presented on March 12, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.