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Hanks or Cruise

Hosts debate whether Tom Hanks or Tom Cruise would have been better in lead roles, often comparing across multiple parts.

Hanks or Cruise has run in 43 episodes. The most recent 40 are listed below — open any episode at its timestamp to hear the segment.

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‘Apollo 13’Bill Simmons

Tom Cruise — Tom Cruise could not have played Jim Lovell; Hanks was perfect for Apollo 13, while he wouldn't want to see Hanks in Eyes Wide Shut or The Firm (Cruise roles)

‘Apollo 13’Rob Mahoney

Tom Hanks — Jokes that Hanks would be 'something to behold' in Eyes Wide Shut, playing along with the bit rather than staking a clear position

‘The Karate Kid Part II’Bill Simmons

Tom Cruise — Agrees Cruise fits as Sato's American chief of staff or as Chozen, since casting a white actor as Sato himself wouldn't work

‘The Karate Kid Part II’Kyle Brandt

Tom Cruise — Would cast Cruise as Chozen (the American pupil/chief of staff role), ripped and physical like Taps/The Outsiders era Cruise

‘Pacific Heights’Bill Simmons

Tom Cruise — Cruise to play Carter Hayes; jokes Cruise would've said no until shown the running scene at the end

‘Pacific Heights’Chris Ryan

Tom Cruise — Agrees Cruise for Carter Hayes, comparing it to his Ripley-type roles; says his mimicry skill fits stealing identities

‘Pacific Heights’Kyle Brandt

Tom Cruise — Agrees Cruise for Carter Hayes, citing his physicality (running) and comparing scenes to Days of Thunder

‘The Good Son’Bill Simmons

Tom Cruise — Suggests this is a Hanks movie (as the dad), but jokes that Cruise could play young Henry, Taps-era/circa Outsiders-age Cruise

‘Single White Female’Bill Simmons

Tom Cruise — For the Sam role, picks Cruise (fighting off the blowjob would be great), but says Hanks could play Graham, though notes it'd be a step down for Hanks (Bosom Buddies-era Hanks)

‘2001: A Space Odyssey’Bill Simmons

Tom Cruise — Suggests Cruise as the lead ape, imagining him physically committing to the role, but doesn't clearly frame it as a Hanks-or-Cruise pick for the main category question

‘2001: A Space Odyssey’Sean Fennessey

Tom Cruise — Says the answer is both - Bowman would be Cruise, Floyd would be Hanks

‘2001: A Space Odyssey’Steven Spielberg

Tom Hanks — Hanks, because he made Apollo 13 and would love to be an astronaut

Episode	Host	Answer
‘Apollo 13’	Bill Simmons	Tom Cruise — Tom Cruise could not have played Jim Lovell; Hanks was perfect for Apollo 13, while he wouldn't want to see Hanks in Eyes Wide Shut or The Firm (Cruise roles)
‘Apollo 13’	Rob Mahoney	Tom Hanks — Jokes that Hanks would be 'something to behold' in Eyes Wide Shut, playing along with the bit rather than staking a clear position
‘The Karate Kid Part II’	Bill Simmons	Tom Cruise — Agrees Cruise fits as Sato's American chief of staff or as Chozen, since casting a white actor as Sato himself wouldn't work
‘The Karate Kid Part II’	Kyle Brandt	Tom Cruise — Would cast Cruise as Chozen (the American pupil/chief of staff role), ripped and physical like Taps/The Outsiders era Cruise
‘Pacific Heights’	Bill Simmons	Tom Cruise — Cruise to play Carter Hayes; jokes Cruise would've said no until shown the running scene at the end
‘Pacific Heights’	Chris Ryan	Tom Cruise — Agrees Cruise for Carter Hayes, comparing it to his Ripley-type roles; says his mimicry skill fits stealing identities
‘Pacific Heights’	Kyle Brandt	Tom Cruise — Agrees Cruise for Carter Hayes, citing his physicality (running) and comparing scenes to Days of Thunder
‘The Good Son’	Bill Simmons	Tom Cruise — Suggests this is a Hanks movie (as the dad), but jokes that Cruise could play young Henry, Taps-era/circa Outsiders-age Cruise
‘Single White Female’	Bill Simmons	Tom Cruise — For the Sam role, picks Cruise (fighting off the blowjob would be great), but says Hanks could play Graham, though notes it'd be a step down for Hanks (Bosom Buddies-era Hanks)
‘2001: A Space Odyssey’	Bill Simmons	Tom Cruise — Suggests Cruise as the lead ape, imagining him physically committing to the role, but doesn't clearly frame it as a Hanks-or-Cruise pick for the main category question
‘2001: A Space Odyssey’	Sean Fennessey	Tom Cruise — Says the answer is both - Bowman would be Cruise, Floyd would be Hanks
‘2001: A Space Odyssey’	Steven Spielberg	Tom Hanks — Hanks, because he made Apollo 13 and would love to be an astronaut