Rob Lowe reveals on his Literally! podcast that he and Tom Cruise were once “super, super, super good homies,” but Cruise wasn’t ready to discuss his part in Martin Scorsese’s The Color of Money. Lowe recalled a casual Westwood hangout in which he pressed Cruise for details about Thanksgiving plans, only to receive a vague answer about “a thing with Marty,” leaving Lowe stunned that Scorsese’s film would be involved and naming Paul Newman as the co-star.
The Color of Money, released in 1986, is the sequel to The Hustler and follows a veteran pool hustler, played by Newman, mentoring a younger rival and rising star played by Cruise. The anecdote underscores how even longtime friends in Hollywood can balance curiosity with discretion about upcoming projects.
The chat also framed a broader conversation about talking openly about casting and auditions. The trio—Lowe, Cruise, and Lowe’s son John Owen Lowe, joined by KJ Apa on the podcast—topped the discussion with reflections on whether actors should share every detail about their next steps. Apa, who is preparing for a role in Lasse Hallström’s romantic drama The Map That Leads You, set for Prime Video on August 20, weighed the pros and cons of public disclosures. He argued that there are reasons to stay mum at times, while Lowe and John suggested that genuine excitement can be infectious, even if it risks sounding boastful.
To add more texture, Apa acknowledged both sides of the public-sharing debate: some peers are candid about their work to build anticipation, while others prefer to maintain a lower profile. Lowe admitted he’d have loved to shout from the car about a collaboration with Scorsese in the moment, highlighting a tension between authentic enthusiasm and professional modesty.
The conversation highlights enduring friendships and professional respect among actors who have navigated decades of change in a competitive industry. It also reflects a evolving culture around announcements and self-presentation on social media and in interviews, contrasting the instinct to celebrate a career milestone with the desire to keep some details private.
If you’re looking for a quick takeaway, this episode paints a picture of Hollywood camaraderie—where past connections shape present conversations, and actors juggle excitement with restraint as they manage audiences’ expectations for their next big projects. A hopeful thread runs through: even as plans shift and roles evolve, longstanding friendships can remain a steady, supportive undercurrent in a movie career that often moves at the speed of rumor and hype.