Tom Cruise has been at the forefront of several of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters and remains one of the industry’s most coveted and elusive hit makers. However, his “Valkyrie” co-star, Kenneth Branagh, says some people still don’t give him enough credit.

Cruise will soon be honored with the BFI Fellowship, which is the most prestigious award bestowed on an actor or producer by the British Film Institute. Ahead of the honor, The Times of London sat down with Branagh to discuss the ethos of one of the biggest movie stars in history. But if you ask Branagh, considering Cruise as just a movie star is doing him a disservice.

“If he ever tires of wowing the world with action, he’s going to surprise those who view him as only a movie star,” Branagh said. “What he’s done with ‘Mission’ and ‘Top Gun’ is unique — cinematic entertainment...