Adam Scott Reveals How Tom Cruise Inspired a Key Scene in Severance Season 2
Adam Scott, star of Severance, recently shared an interesting revelation about how Tom Cruise influenced a major scene in Season 2.
During an appearance on SiriusXM’s Literally! With Rob Lowe podcast, Scott admitted that he drew inspiration from Cruise’s signature running style, often seen in the action star’s most iconic films.
“There’s no way to avoid comparisons to Tom Cruise if you’re running that much in a suit,” the Parks and Recreation actor said. “He’s the king of it.”
Scott, 51, explained that while filming the opening sequence for Season 2’s first episode, the team tried various approaches to capture the perfect shot.
“At one point, I was on a treadmill with a harness attached to me,” he revealed. “But what we found was that something felt off—it was like an uncanny valley effect. On a treadmill, you’re running at a constant speed, but in real life, your speed is always fluctuating, even in ways that aren’t perceptible to the human eye.”
That’s when he realized what makes Cruise’s running scenes so dynamic.
“When you watch Tom Cruise run, there’s something incredibly human about it because he’s actually doing it,” Scott noted. “There’s a natural variation in speed that makes it feel real.”
To achieve a similar effect, Scott had to make adjustments. “We figured out that for the scene to look natural, I had to move around on the treadmill, introducing those slight inconsistencies,” he explained. “It was fascinating. You’re welcome.”
Scott also pointed out that 'Severance' director and executive producer Ben Stiller shares a strong admiration for Cruise, further cementing the action star’s indirect influence on the show.
As 'Severance' fans eagerly anticipate the return of the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ series, it’s clear that even a psychological thriller can take cues from Hollywood’s most legendary action star.
