Breakup with Paramount

On August 22, 2006, Paramount Pictures announced it was ending its 14 year relationship with Cruise. In the Wall Street Journal, chairman of Viacom (Paramounts parent company) Sumner Redstone cited the economic damage to Cruises value as an actor and producer from his controversial public behavior and views.Cruise Wagner Productions responded that Paramounts announcement was a face saving move after the production company had successfully sought alternative financing from private equity firms.[45] Industry analysts such as Edward Jay Epstein commented that the real reason for the split was most likely Paramounts discontent over Cruise Wagners exceptionally large share of DVD sales from the Mission Impossible franchise.