Tom Cruise: 'I'm fitter now than I was in my 20s'

Tom Cruise feels stronger and fitter as a 54-year-old action star than he did in his 20s.

The actor, whose latest action caper Jack Reacher: Never Go Back sees him in a series of stunt filled scenes and on screen fights, credits his rigorous preparation regime for helping him put his body through hell for the sake of a movie.

Speaking to WENN at the film's London premiere, Tom said the bruises he sustains on set never take long to heal, adding, "I just keep pushing the bar from where I was in my 20s or 30s because my skill is improved and I've got smarter about how to prep(are) and also my recovery time period."

He continued, "In some ways (I feel) better because I've had this kind of experience because you know how to prepare and you know how to recover. That doesn't mean it (action scenes) doesn't hurt. It hurts."

The action veteran also explained that because he feels in such great shape, he’s aiming to fill his future films with even more spectacular stunts, saying, "If it ever feels too easy I just take it to that next level."

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back sees Tom play the title character, an ex-military police commander who turns violent vigilante to bring wrongdoers to justice.

The character was created by British author Lee Child and has appeared in 21 novels as well as two films starring Tom.

Due to Tom's impressive fitness regime, Lee thinks the actor can continue to play the character for many years to come.

"Judging by the shape he's (Tom) in he can probably keep going until he's about 83 (years old)", the writer laughed. "If you know Tom nothing is too much for him. He will find a way either through intelligence or hard work."

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, which also stars How I Met Your mother actress Cobie Smulders and 18-year-old Hollywood newcomer Danika Yarosh, is released in cinemas on Friday (21Oct16).