Tom Cruise has long been celebrated for his relentless commitment to performing his own stunts, pushing the boundaries of action cinema with each film. However, in a recent interview with Empire, the veteran action star revealed that one particular stunt in Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning tested his physical limits to the point of unconsciousness.
The sequence in question, featured in the film's teaser trailer, showcases Cruises character, Ethan Hunt, clinging to the wing of a 1930s Boeing Stearman biplane. The stunt, filmed over the skies of South Africa, had Cruise performing at a staggering altitude of 10,000 feet while the plane soared through the air at speeds of 120 to 130 miles per hour.
"When you stick your face out, going over 120 to 130 miles an hour, you're not getting oxygen," Cruise explained. "So I had to train myself how to breathe. There were times I would pass out physically; I was unable to get back into the cockpit."
Director Christopher McQuarrie, who helms what is said to be the grand conclusion to the nearly two-decade-long franchise, teased that audiences should prepare for some truly mind-blowing stunts. "There are sequences in this film that will melt your brain," McQuarrie stated, adding that Cruise constantly sought to outdo himself each day on set.
One of the films most intense sequences, which McQuarrie hinted at but refused to describe in detail, even made him feel physically ill just thinking about it. "I wanted to puke," he admitted, emphasizing the sheer intensity of what audiences can expect.
Cruise' s career has been defined by his unwavering dedication to performing dangerous stunts, often putting himself at risk to deliver authentic and thrilling action scenes. His past exploits include scaling the Burj Khalifa, holding his breath underwater for six minutes, and clinging to the side of a plane as it took off. His passion for aviation-themed stunts has been evident throughout his career, from hundreds of skydives in the Mission: Impossible series to enduring extreme G-forces in supersonic jets for Top Gun: Maverick.
Recently, Cruise even took part in a stunt for the 2024 Paris Olympics closing ceremony, leaping off the Stade de France in yet another daring feat.
As Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning gears up for its highly anticipated release, fans can expect nothing short of breathtaking action, with Cruise once again proving that no stunt is too extreme in his pursuit of cinematic excellence.
Source: DEADLINE
