In a recent interview with Empire magazine, Tom Cruise detailed an unforgettable moment while filming the original Mission: Impossible, released in 1996. The action legend revealed how he improvised a solution to a challenging wire stunt that resulted in him hitting his face on the floor. The stunt sequences in this debut film, directed by Brian De Palma, might not compare to the breathtaking feats seen in later installments, yet this particular sequence where Cruise’s character, Ethan Hunt, descends from wires to enter a secure CIA room remains iconic.
During the interview, Cruise described the behind-the-scenes efforts that went into perfecting the stunt. After a series of trials and adjustments concerning the wire rig and the materials required, he encountered a physical challenge that no one anticipated. “I was in Japan promoting a film, and De Palma called me and pitched me this. It was Rififi, but how do we do it? I knew this rig and came back and showed him the rig that I wanted to wear. I was showing him different kinds of equipment and movement, and I would find out, ‘What could I do? How could I move through this space? What looks elegant?’” Cruise explained.
He continued with the technical details, emphasizing the precision needed for the stunt’s success: “We wanted it all to be in one shot, and my face kept hitting the ground as I went down.” His determination shone through as he urged the crew for help. “I went to the crew guys and said, ‘Empty your pockets, and put British [bank] notes in my toes, and balanced myself.’” With this clever counterweight solution, Cruise managed to execute the stunt flawlessly, leaving everyone on set, including the director, holding their breath, until De Palma finally exclaimed, “Cut!”
Tom Cruise’s involvement in the Mission: Impossible franchise has always extended beyond acting; since the original film, he has taken on producer roles to shape the final product. This negotiation between creativity and safety often leads to groundbreaking, although risky, action sequences. While the wire stunt may not match the perilous motorcycle leap off a cliff from Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, its successful execution required extensive thought and strategy.
The legacy of the original Mission: Impossible remains strong, having achieved both critical and commercial success. With a 65% score on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and a 71% audience score, the film grossed a staggering $457 million worldwide against an $80 million budget. It set the stage for what would become a hallmark of modern action cinema and established the expectations for the series’ thrilling stunt work.
Even as Cruise’s stunts have grown more audacious, from scaling the Burj Khalifa to piloting helicopters, the image of him suspended in mid-air to retrieve the NOC list is etched in cinematic history. Despite the initial success of Mission: Impossible, Brian De Palma did not return for subsequent films, leading to John Woo directing the sequel. This shift in directors illustrates how the franchise evolved, yet the essence of what Cruise brought to the table continued onward.
As the franchise moves forward, with the upcoming Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning promising even more breathtaking stunts, it is evident that Cruise remains committed to his craft. His willingness to share insights behind his work enriches the viewers’ appreciation of these cinematic moments. Fans of the series can rejoice knowing that, despite the challenges faced in the early days, Tom Cruise was pivotal in crafting unforgettable sequences that have kept audiences on the edge of their seats.
