Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman They have been separated for more than two decades, but the actor still respects his ex -wife’s talents.

The 62 -year -old Cruise, who was seen riding in London with his girlfriend Ana de Armas Before returning to the US alone on Saturday, she is in the city to receive a distinguished scholarship from the British Institute of Film. In view of the award, which will be celebrated on Monday, the Oscar -winning actress spoke to the organization’s Sight and Sound magazine.

When referred to the film “Eyes Wide Shut”, directed by the late Stanley Kubrick, Cruise admitted that he proposed his then wife for his wife’s role on the screen.

“It was a great experience. I was very excited to do it. I knew Stanley’s films very well and introduced me through Sidney Pollak. So Stanley phoned Sydney because he wanted to make a movie. Sent me a fax ‘, explained.

“I read the script the day before and we spent the day discussing it. I knew all his films. I talked to Scorsese about him and Sidney Pollak, so I knew what he was doing and how he worked. “

Former Sentology Church Member Mike Rider claims in his book “A Billion Years: My Escape from a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology, that Cruise’s integration and Kidman’s refusal to embrace Scientology led the couple to separation.

His new partner, Ana de Armas, 37, is said to be universal, as is Kidman, so it is not clear how successful their relationship will be in the long run.