Pakistan, May 13 -- Tom Cruise's recent interview has fans' eyes wide open. The 63-year-old made a rare-and complimentary-comment about Nicole Kidman, marking the first time he has spoken about his ex in the press in more than 20 years.

While discussing their 1999 erotic thriller film Eyes Wide Shut, Cruise recalled how he suggested to director Stanley Kubrick to cast the actress, who ended up portraying his character Bill's wife Alice.

"I suggested Nicole play the role," the actor told the British Film Institute's Sight and Sound magazine in an interview published May 9, per Deadline. "Because obviously she's a great actress."

Kidman won her first Oscar-for her leading performance in The Hours-in 2003, almost two years after she and C...