Refresh for more…This afternoon at Cannes, Tom Cruise made a surprise appearance at a masterclass event celebrating his longtime collaborator, writer-director Christopher McQuarrie. What is it that clicks between Cruise and McQuarrie?

Cannes: Cruise joined his director on 11 films, Christopher McQuarrie, for a deep-dive conversation at Cannes. “I’m a diehard believer in the big-screen experience,” said McQuarrie. “What makes film special is however many hundreds of strangers all come together to sit in the room and watch something together and experience something together.

With his deep tan, blinding smile and He-Man haircut, Cruise surely looked the part of a kid’s favorite toy. Certainly, Cannes has proved ever eager to play with him: Even in recent years, when Cruise has moved away from auteur-driven dramas to focus almost exclusively on action films, the festival continues to find new reasons to welcome him back.