Tom Cruise has earned legendary status as a speed enthusiast who pursues adrenaline with equal fervor on camera and off. His dedication to aviation, racing and high-performance machines has become part of his Hollywood mythology. Only a previous generation's matinee idol could rival that intensity

And Paul Newman fit the description perfectly as both an Oscar-winning actor and professional race car driver. When these two icons shared a racetrack, the result was automotive obsession at full throttle.

Kenneth Branagh just revealed convergence firsthand during a day he clearly remembers as one of the wildest.

While promoting his new film Mayday, Kenneth Branagh appeared on the On Film… With Kevin McCarthy podcast to recount this surreal experience. He described arriving at Willow Springs racetrack as a passenger in Tom Cruise's vehicle, marveling at the impossible velocity.

"I got driven there by Tom Cruise. I believe in a spaceship, he couldn't have gone quicker. It was a car that had no things in it. We went to Willow Springs and Newman was already there." 

Branagh continued sharing this story on the On Film… With Kevin McCarthy podcast, explaining how Cruise immediately handed him the keys after thanking him profusely for the ride. The actor-director found himself piloting Cruise at velocities he claimed he would never dare write down on paper. Every time Branagh hesitated, Cruise simply urged him forward with calm encouragement.

The Mayday actor recalled thinking constantly about his screenwriting career, fearing that one mistake would rewrite history in the most permanent fashion possible. He described the entire day as existing outside normal time, with Cruise and Newman locked in relentless competition despite driving different-sized vehicles. Branagh marveled at watching them behave like beautiful children experiencing the greatest Christmas Day of their lives, united by pure love of speed.

Ryan Reynolds Admits Being Intimidated by Kenneth Branagh on ‘Mayday’ Sets Before Hitting the Comfort Stage

That passion for high-risk thrills also connects directly to Branagh's latest collaboration with Ryan Reynolds.

Kenneth Branagh directs and stars in Mayday, an upcoming action thriller that pairs him with Ryan Reynolds in a tense aerial confrontation. The film flips the spy thriller formula, following Lieutenant Troy "Assassin" Kelly (Reynolds), a hotshot U.S. Navy pilot whose top-secret mission into Russian territory goes wrong at the height of the Cold W**, leaving him stranded behind enemy lines.

Reynolds portrays a seasoned aviator whose expertise becomes essential when conventional protocols fail. The cast includes additional supporting roles that boast great talent and some great acting chops.  Mayday released on 4th September, exclusively on Apple TV.

Branagh discussed the project extensively during his On Film… With Kevin McCarthy podcast appearance, emphasizing the technical challenges of creating believable in-flight sequences without relying exclusively on digital effects.

'Mayday' Review: Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh Deliver the Kind of Action Movie Hollywood Forgot How to Make

What do you think about Kenneth Branagh's wild racing story with Tom Cruise and Paul Newman? Let us know in the comments.