A new image has revealed one of the most intense stunts from Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. The franchise, which stars Tom Cruise as superspy Ethan Hunt, is renowned for its high-octane stunt sequences, most of which are performed by Cruise himself. The upcoming Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, directed and co-written by Christopher McQuarrie, features a series of thrilling moments, including an extraordinary scene where Hunt dangles from an upside-down biplane.
Empire has recently shared a behind-the-scenes image of a daring underwater stunt from Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. This gripping scene portrays Ethan Hunt exploring the wreckage of the Sevastopol submarine, a moment that sees him caught in a potentially fatal current. The reality of Tom Cruise’s on-set situation was almost equally perilous; he could only wear his scuba suit and mask for ten minutes at a time due to the risk of hypoxia. In his own words, Cruise stated, “I’m breathing in my own carbon dioxide. It builds up in the body and affects the muscles. You have to overcome all of that while you’re doing it, and be present.”
Director Christopher McQuarrie commented on the daunting nature of this stunt, saying, “[It was] so challenging and so terrifying. [It was] really physically punishing [for Tom Cruise.] He’s in a rotating structure filled with debris, and you had to find a way to make that environment look as chaotic and unhinged as humanly possible, but in a way that you could repeat, and that Tom could navigate, and survive.” The image not only highlights the inherent danger but also shows that it was indeed Cruise performing the stunt himself.
Despite the title, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is not necessarily set to be the last installment of the series, as both Cruise and McQuarrie have shown interest in continuing the saga of Ethan Hunt. However, the escalating intensity of the stunts within the franchise, both in its narrative and reality, signifies that the stakes have never been higher. While Cruise managed to survive this rigorous underwater stunt, it remains uncertain whether Hunt will be as fortunate.
As the franchise continually seeks to outperform its previous stunts—such as Tom Cruise scaling the Burj Khalifa or being strapped to the side of a jet plane—the upcoming installment promises even more action. By featuring multiple major stunt sequences in a single film, the new entry aims to deliver a high-octane experience, ensuring that audiences are kept on the edge of their seats, eager to see if the character can once again defy the odds.
Another aspect with potential implications for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning being the final chapter, at least temporarily, lies in the significant budgets involved. Due in part to McQuarrie and Cruise’s unwavering commitment to executing real-life stunts, these films require vast financial resources to make Hunt’s escapades both authentic and as safe as possible. The previous installment struggled financially, not breaking even against its substantial $291 million budget, and the newest entry reportedly cost around $400 million, meaning that its high-energy stunts need to draw substantial audiences to avoid jeopardizing the franchise’s future.
