On the latest episode of HBO’s Last Week Tonight, John Oliver shared his conflicted thoughts about Tom Cruise performing dangerous stunts in Mission Impossible movies, humorously speculating on how Cruise’s penchant for risk might influence his ultimate fate. Oliver’s remarks, delivered while discussing air traffic control safety issues, highlighted a growing tension about the extreme lengths the actor pursues for cinematic authenticity.
John Oliver Addresses Air Traffic Control Worries
Oliver began by focusing on persistent problems plaguing air traffic control in the United States, referencing a recent near-miss in which two aircraft were mistakenly cleared to land on the same runway. Drawing the audience’s attention to the frightening incident prompted Oliver to emphasize the serious risks involved in air travel management.
“Well, that is terrifying. Planes should definitely not be landing on top of each other,”
—John Oliver, host
He then quickly used the story as a springboard to poke fun at Tom Cruise’s well-known reputation for dreaming up and executing wild physical stunts on camera. The host did not hesitate to tease Cruise’s history of intense action sequences in the Mission Impossible franchise.
“And I say that knowing that there is a non-zero chance Tom Cruise will hear me and immediately green light a new ‘Mission: Impossible’ to do exactly that himself.”
—John Oliver, host
Tom Cruise’s Dedication to Stunt Work
Oliver’s comments were rooted in Cruise’s long-established practice of performing his own high-risk stunts, which has become a hallmark of the Mission Impossible movies. In recent installments, Cruise has been seen dangling from aircraft and grappling with stunt pilots high above the ground. In the most recent film, titled The Final Reckoning, Cruise again ups the ante by clinging to the side of a biplane, engaging in a tense fight as the plane undergoes complicated maneuvers to dislodge him. The spectacle routinely delivers thrills to audiences but leaves many feeling anxious about the hazards Cruise willingly faces.
Speculation About Cruise’s Future
As the segment continued, Oliver shifted briefly to speculate about Cruise’s future and the impact of his daredevil approach. While stopping short of accusing the actor of actively courting disaster, Oliver wondered if Cruise’s insistence on ever-escalating cinematic feats would ultimately dictate how his life concludes.
“I am not saying that he’s trying to die on camera, I’m just saying the only way Tom Cruise passes away peacefully in his bed is if the bed is being dropped into an active volcano to somehow save the live movie-going experience,”
—John Oliver, host
The Larger Impact of Cruise’s Stunt Choices
John Oliver’s tongue-in-cheek commentary points to a broader concern about the pressures to constantly outdo previous efforts in blockbuster filmmaking, particularly when stars like Tom Cruise take on risks most would never consider. As Cruise continues to deliver adrenaline-charged performances in Mission Impossible movies, industry watchers and fans alike remain uneasy about the toll such actions could take. Despite the laughter, the discussion raises questions about how far Hollywood icons will go for the sake of thrilling audiences—and if those elaborate stunts are always worth the gamble.
