Tom Cruise has become renowned for performing his own stunts, and in the latest Mission Impossible film, his preparation takes on a whole new intensity. For Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which is set for release on May 23, Tom Cruise prepared himself for one of the most daring sequences yet: wing-walking on the wing of a flying airplane, a feat he had always dreamed of attempting. The process begins, surprisingly, with a substantial breakfast, which Cruise describes as essential to fueling the incredible physical and mental demands of such high-risk stunts.
In discussing his routine before tackling these extreme feats, Tom Cruise explained,
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! Picture: It’s cold up there. We’re at high altitude. My body is burning a lot.
This preparation makes it clear that every aspect of his training is designed for endurance, focus, and the ability to withstand the unique environmental challenges encountered when performing in-flight sequences at high altitudes.
Tom Cruise’s approach towards stunt work is rooted in inspiration and careful observation. He recounted how earlier footage of wing-walking sparked his interest, noting,
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.
His willingness to escalate both speed and complexity showcases a deep dedication to authenticity and a drive to push both his own limits and those of his audience.
Despite speculation from viewers that Tom Cruise may rely on special effects or green screen technology for such challenging scenes, stunt coordinator Wade Eastwood insisted on the authenticity of the stunts. He stated,
Everyone will think we did some on green screen on the ground. I guarantee there was not one single shot that was not on a plane flying for real.
This unwavering commitment means that the action seen on screen reflects the genuine peril and preparation endured by Tom Cruise.
The motivation behind this hands-on approach, according to Tom Cruise, is to deepen audience engagement. He explained,
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. Luckily, when you’re flying jets, you train for hypoxia and for carbon dioxide buildup. You start to be able to perceive your body and how it’s reacting, so that I knew when to stop.
This emphasizes the actor’s attentiveness to safety while maintaining the realism that defines his performances.
Beyond the skies, Tom Cruise’s dedication extends underwater, as demonstrated last fall when he shared a photo of himself training for submerged scenes. He commented,
The training and preparation we put into this film is a culmination of all before it. From the depths, to the skies, I can’t wait to share more with you.
Through these words, Tom Cruise reveals that each Mission Impossible film builds upon a legacy of ever-increasing physical and mental discipline.
The significance of Tom Cruise’s devotion to training and preparation is not just in the spectacle, but in how it raises expectations for action cinema and challenges other performers in the industry. As audiences anticipate the film’s release, the impact of his meticulous process suggests that the bar for action authenticity will continue rising. Tom Cruise’s approach assures viewers they can expect stunts that are not only visually gripping, but genuinely performed, and this tradition is set to reach new heights when Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning premieres.
