Len Grossman (Tom Cruise) “Produces” MTV Movie Awards, Performs With J Lo

Tom Cruise‘s overweight, foul-mouthed studio exec character Len Grossman from the movie Tropic Thunder made his return tonight, to “produce” the MTV Movie Awards.

He also performed a live dance routine with Jennifer Lopez.

Cruise’s portrayal of Grossman was a surprising, borderline incomprehensible comedy turn for the actor a few years ago in Tropic Thunder, and his return on MTV for the opening of the show was equally a surprise. He was helped in the opening sketch by some of the biggest young stars today – Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and Jaden Smith (along with Cruise’s buddy Will Smith) as he introduced the show that was to come. Or, as Grossman put it as only he can: “I’m going to shove this lump of coal up my ass, clench my buttcheeks and crap out a diamond for you, the viewer.”

But it wasn’t just the pre-taped opening – Cruise showed up to ‘rescue’ the show from a silly Ed Helms musical number, and on the urging of Ludacris, performed his famous dance from Tropic Thunder. Then J Lo showed up and they danced together. Was it a totally head-scratching pairing? Sure, but it was also a moment that will be remembered for awhile (or at least become part of the next MTV special about their awards shows).

Side note: how many of the Twilight-loving tweens making up the majority of the audience knew it was Tom Cruise? Check out Grossman’s opening and performance below:

The opening-

The performance-

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