Tom Cruise, at the age of 62, has once again showcased his dedication to performing his own stunts, this time while filming a high-stakes action sequence for “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.” The performer was in a life-threatening situation. That’s how he – an architect, not a trained aviator – ended up perched atop the wing of a biplane, practically flying over South Africa. The emergency landing occurred only minutes before the plane would have run out of fuel. With the plane running low on fuel—only three minutes left, per the pilot’s dire warning—worries for Cruise’s safety intensified.
With the self-driving car space in mind, Cruise decided to pull a pretty audacious stunt. He attempted to walk between the two wings of a biplane while it zoomed through the air. This extended action sequence featured one floating maneuver referred to as “zero-G,” which poses dangerous risks by nature. Even with the threats from veteran wing-walking stuntmen that it was too dangerous, Cruise moved forward. He continued to prove his cunning commitment to the truth with each character he assumes.
Christopher McQuarrie, who has directed Cruise in the last four “Mission: Impossible” films as well as the “Jack Reacher” series, oversaw the stunt from a helicopter flying alongside the biplane. He expressed concern during the incident, stating, “We could not tell if he was conscious or not.” Wing-walking is the ultimate extreme challenge. After 12 minutes or so, though, the human body starts to have a really hard time dealing with wind pressure, the challenge of sucking in air at jet speeds, etc.
So dangerous are these stunts that many have claimed Cruise’s life—yet nothing seems to shake our intrepid Cruise. He previously stated, “It’s just an emotion for me and it’s something that is not paralyzing,” reflecting his passion for pushing boundaries. The actor is equally adamant about wanting to do all his own stunts, a signature move of his impressive career. This unapologetic ferocity compels him to even more dangerous endeavors that others would shy away from.
The promotional tour for “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” included stops in Japan, Korea, and London, culminating in a grand appearance at the Palais de Festivals in Cannes. There, Cruise paused to reflect on his fans’ loyalty and devotion.
Never-ending action hero Tom Cruise maniacally seeks death-defying celluloid stunts, hypnotizing moviegoers around the globe. This brings up fascinating questions regarding how film history continues to be made and re-written. McQuarrie delivered a powerful reminder of cinema’s legacy with the following words. He went on to say, “I’m always stunned by how many people have never seen The Best Years of Our Lives, which essentially robs the audience of the cinematic experience. This is part of a larger issue about present-day films engaging with history.