Overview
- Neil Jordan told The Hollywood Reporter that the early backlash to casting Tom Cruise as Lestat was “a pain in the a**” and that Cruise’s on‑screen conviction made him the right choice despite not matching the novel's physical description.
- Author Anne Rice publicly opposed Cruise’s casting during production and joined readers calling for a boycott before reversing course after the film’s release by apologizing to Cruise and commissioning publicity praising his performance.
- Jordan said he first approached Daniel Day‑Lewis for Lestat and turned to Cruise only after that option did not proceed.
- Rice’s claim that Cruise pushed to remove the novel’s more sexualized material from the film remains disputed, with Cruise’s representatives denying the allegation.
- Interview with the Vampire grossed $223 million worldwide and prompted plans for a sequel that never materialized, and the 4K release has prompted renewed public discussion of the casting, production tensions, and the film’s legacy.