According to Tom Cruise, he’s the “first person to be on set and the last to leave” when making a film. Even with more than 30 years in the acting business, his love for films and “passion for storytelling” hasn’t subsided, the US actor told reporters Monday.

Cruise was in Seoul to promote “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back.” He met the Korean press at The Ritz-Carlton Seoul, alongside director Edward Zwick, who helmed the mystery-crime thriller, set for local release on Nov. 24.

The film stars Cruise as investigator Jack Reacher, who embarks on a mission to prove the innocence of army Maj. Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders) who was arrested on treason charges. Reacher suspects that a major government conspiracy, involving the death of US soldiers, is in play.

In addition to playing the lead role, Cruise also co-produced the $60 million film with Don Granger.

“Producing is really -- you’re there to help,” he said. “It’s a natural progression (from acting) if you want a film to be as good as possible. I do believe that to lead is to serve, to be there for every aspect, and do anything and everything to help out,” said the 54-year-old actor, who has been a Hollywood icon since his 1981 debut.

Famous for acting in dangerous action scenes himself, including hanging from an airplane in “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol,” Cruise pushed himself hard for this film. He punches through glass and engages in a cage fight in “Jack Reacher” -- feats that were especially difficult to pull off.

“I’m someone who trains very hard. I work with all the actors and stunt people and we train over and over again so we can predict each others’ movements.”

It is the second time director Zwick and the actor have teamed up for a film since the 2003 “The Last Samurai,” which saw Cruise as an American military officer moved by the ways of Japanese warriors.

The two have wanted to work together again since then. “The process was so much fun and exciting,” said Zwick. “When you get to know an actor, there are many parts of them you haven’t yet expressed, and you want to find another story.”

After decades in the entertainment industry, Cruise says he still loves to tell stories via the big screen.

On being the first to arrive on set and the last to leave, he said, “I love films, and that kind of commitment, I just expect that of myself, and I invite others to join me in that process.”

“Jack Reacher” is based on a series of books of the same title by Lee Child. The upcoming film is the second installment. The first was released in 2012.

By Rumy Doo (doo@heraldcorp.com)