I had a big discussion on this earlier. I don't think Ghost Protocol really got Cruise out of his "slump". I think it's very misleading as an indicator on Cruise's career. I think the reason Ghost Protocol did so well was more about the franchise name rather than Tom Cruise getting his appeal back as a box office draw. In that sense, it was more of a fluke so to speak. Something made apparent by Knight and Day the year before, and probably will be further proven by Rock of Ages and One Shot.

I don't think it will rub off on him in that sense. I think he's past that appeal that he used to have. I like him and all, but I think he's past his prime.

Here's how I see it: ever since the whole "Tom Cruise has gone crazy" fiasco, public appeal for him has waned. People are sort of put off by him. I don't see him shaking that stigma. It's only further solidified/justified by him putting out mediocre/crappy movies. Sure he can still have some big successes (ie Mission: Impossible), but I don't ever see him getting back to that point where people are like "Awesome, a new Tom Cruise movie, I have to see it!" like it used to be.