Tom Cruise And James Corden Join ‘Lion King’ Cast In Star-Studded ‘Late Late Show’ Finale

Tom Cruise helped James Corden bid farewell to his “Late Late Show” audience in Corden’s way. In the final episode of his late night talk show, the host enlisted the actor to join him for a performance with “The Lion King” cast at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.

Airing during the primetime special on Thursday, April 27, the pre-taped segment saw James and Cruise rehearsing backstage and walking to the stage in a rhino costume, before later singing “Hakuna Matata” as Timon and Pumbaa.

After their successful musical stint, Corden got emotional as he’s about to part ways with his guest. “When ‘Mission: Impossible 12’ comes out, you’re not going to think of me,” the comedian jealously claimed. “You’re going to be off BASE jumping with Bowen Yang.”

The two then broke into rendition of Elton John’s “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” separately as they flashed back to the stunts they did together for the show. They eventually reunited on a helipad on top of a skyscraper.

“Tom, I mean, everything you’ve done for my show, everything you’ve done for me, I’ll never be able to,” Corden said, before Cruise interrupted him, “James, you had me at hello.” The British funnyman shouted, “I love you Tom.” Cruise responded, “I know,” before hopping on a waiting helicopter.

The primetime special kicked off with a musical number as he sang his own lyrics to the tune of Donna Summer’s “Last Dance”. It also included the final “Carpool Karaoke” with Adele and a pre-recorded segment featuring a number of other late-night talk show hosts surprising Corden in his bedroom.

Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon and David Letterman joined forces to convince Corden to stick around and make him promise not to spill their secrets. “James, have you thought this through?” Colbert asked. “What other job will allow you to break into song and dance every single night?” Flash forward six months later, Corden and fellow late-night TV alum Trevor Noah were unmasked as mystery singers on “The Masked Singer”.