Tom Cruise opened his highly anticipated appearance at CinemaCon on Thursday with a heartfelt tribute to his late ‘Top Gun’ co-star, Val Kilmer, who passed away earlier this week in Los Angeles.

“He loved movies and he gave a lot to all of us with his performances and his films,” Cruise said. “I really can't tell you how much I admired his work, how much I thought of him as a human being, and how grateful and honoured I was when he joined 'Top Gun' and then came back for 'Top Gun: Maverick',” Cruise expressed his admiration and gratitude for Kilmer to a packed room of movie theatre owners.

Cruise then asked for a moment of silence, offering a poignant contrast to the otherwise energetic presentation of Paramount Pictures' upcoming slate. “Thank you, Val. I wish you well on your next journey,” he said solemnly.

Cruise was at CinemaCon to promote “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning,” the eighth installment of the franchise set to hit theatres on May 23. Known for his enduring box office appeal, the 62-year-old actor also delivered a thoughtful tribute to Christopher McQuarrie, the filmmaker behind the recent “Mission: Impossible” films.

Reflecting on their first meeting during the making of “Valkyrie” in 2008, Cruise praised McQuarrie’s talent and dedication to cinema. “We met in LA in my screening room and we spent hours together talking about movies. I knew then that he was a creative brother who shares the same love and passion for cinema,” Cruise said.

The presentation also featured thrilling stunts and trailers for Paramount's upcoming films, including Edgar Wright's “The Running Man” and a reboot of “The Naked Gun.” Cruise's tribute to Kilmer, however, remained the most touching moment of the event, reminding the audience of the lasting impact of the beloved actor.