Tom Cruise Defies Gravity and Age in "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning"
Tom Cruise, the ageless wonder and undisputed king of action cinema, is set to raise the bar yet again with the eighth installment of the "Mission: Impossible" franchise, titled "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning." Known for his unwavering commitment to performing his own death-defying stunts, Cruise has revealed that this film will feature a stunt he’s dreamed of executing since childhood: wing-walking.
In a display of unparalleled dedication and physical prowess, Cruise will be seen moving across the wing of an aircraft while it’s in flight. This feat, demanding immense strength, balance, and nerves of steel, is a testament to Cruise’s relentless pursuit of pushing the boundaries of cinematic realism. At 62 years of age, Cruise is proving that age is merely a number when it comes to passion, dedication, and physical conditioning.
To prepare his body for the grueling demands of such intense stunts, Cruise adheres to a rigorous training regime and a high-calorie diet. He revealed to People magazine, "I actually eat a massive breakfast. The amount of energy it takes – I train so hard for that wing-walking. I’ll eat, like, sausage and almost a dozen eggs and bacon and toast and coffee and fluids. Oh, I’m eating!" He further explained that the high altitude and cold temperatures during filming necessitate a significant energy intake to keep his body functioning at its peak. "Picture: It’s cold up there. We’re at high altitude. My body is burning a lot."
The film’s stunt coordinator, Wade Eastwood, emphasized the authenticity of the aerial sequences, stating that every single shot involving the plane was filmed in flight. "Everyone will think we did some on green screen on the ground," he said, "I guarantee there was not one single shot that was not on a plane flying for real." This commitment to practical effects and real-world stunt work is a hallmark of the "Mission: Impossible" franchise and a major factor in its enduring appeal.
Director and writer Christopher McQuarrie further highlighted Cruise’s involvement in every aspect of the filmmaking process, noting, "Anytime you see Tom in the plane, he’s at the controls. He’s basically a one-man film crew: operating the camera, acting and flying." Cruise’s hands-on approach and unwavering dedication to his craft are evident in every frame of the film, ensuring a truly immersive and exhilarating cinematic experience for the audience.
Cruise’s pursuit of realism extends beyond aerial stunts. For an underwater scene, he even went to the extreme of breathing his own carbon dioxide to achieve an unobstructed shot of his face. "You’re not going to feel as connected with the character if I went with a regular mask and a thing in my mouth to breathe," Cruise explained. He added that his training in hypoxia and carbon dioxide buildup, acquired through flying jets, allowed him to perceive his body’s reactions and know when to stop, ensuring his safety while pushing the boundaries of performance.
Cruise’s dedication to continuous improvement extends beyond physical stunts. He revealed that he’s constantly training in various skills, "whether it’s the piano or having more time to dance. Or parachuting or flying airplanes or helicopters. The wonderful thing is you’re never there. It can always be better." While he admits he’s not as proficient at some skills, like playing the piano, he finds enjoyment in the process of learning and refining his abilities. "I wouldn’t say ‘play.’ I enjoy hitting the keys … I find it relaxing."
The inspiration for the daring wing-walking stunt came from Cruise’s childhood fascination with old footage of wing-walkers. He noted the difference in speed between those early stunts and the current one: "I remember seeing old footage of wing-walking. Those aircraft were only traveling at, I don’t know, 40, 50 miles an hour. This aircraft is up to over 120 miles an hour. Going out there, I was realizing that it takes your breath away."
Cruise’s passion for filmmaking remains unwavering, even after nearly three decades of making "Mission: Impossible" movies. "I love making movies," he said, "It’s not what I do. It’s who I am."
"Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning" is a direct sequel to "Dead Reckoning Part One," which premiered in theaters in July 2023 and grossed $565.7 million worldwide. The new film picks up from the cliffhanger ending of the previous installment, continuing Ethan Hunt’s mission to defeat the AI villain known as "The Entity."
Cruise’s commitment to his craft extends to working seven days a week, primarily acting and producing, while also dedicating time to training for the elaborate stunts featured in his films. "Look, as an actor and just in my life, I’ve always trained just to make movies," Cruise told Fandango in 2023. "I train in many things – singing, dancing, motorcycles, cars – and also my personal life. I like skydiving and speed-flying and all these things. And I like to then go learn these things and then apply it to the movies."
He acknowledged the challenge of balancing training and performance, stating, "But it is a real trick, and I have gone through to figure out, ‘How do I train? How do I maintain? How do you hit peak right at the moment?’ Because also when I’m doing a sprinting scene, I don’t just run once. Sometimes I’ve done 50 sprints in one day."
"Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning" promises to be another thrilling chapter in the iconic franchise, showcasing Cruise’s unparalleled dedication to action filmmaking and his unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of cinematic entertainment. Audiences can anticipate a breathtaking spectacle of daring stunts, intricate plot twists, and Cruise’s signature charisma, all contributing to an unforgettable moviegoing experience. The film is slated to hit theaters on May 23, promising to deliver another adrenaline-fueled ride for fans worldwide. The relentless pursuit of perfection and genuine desire to entertain are why, even after all these years, Tom Cruise remains a force to be reckoned with in the world of cinema.
