Tom Cruise‘s commitment to authenticity reached new heights in
“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,”
where he performed a real torpedo underwater stunt for a crucial submarine scene. Filmed inside the remains of the Sevastopol, Cruise, as Ethan Hunt, faced torpedoes crashing around him in one of the franchise’s most intense and realistic moments, underscoring his dedication to doing his own stunts for the audience’s benefit.
Creating Realism in an Iconic Submarine Sequence
Stunt coordinator Wade Eastwood worked closely with Cruise to ensure the highly anticipated underwater sequence in
“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning”
delivered unfiltered realism. The scene was crafted to have Ethan Hunt weaving through submerged chambers with active torpedoes, while the submarine rotated, increasing the challenge and danger. Eastwood emphasized the temptation to rely on digital effects, noting that some would settle for adding computer-generated torpedoes.
“The easiest thing in the world to do would have been to have Tom swim through and react to CG torpedoes,”
Eastwood explained. —Wade Eastwood, Stunt Coordinator
Instead, the production team insisted on using practical effects, believing audiences would detect and be distracted by the use of computer graphics. Eastwood described how crucial it was for Cruise to feel genuinely present in the experience, reinforcing why realism was prioritized on set.
“Tom does not want an audience disconnected. He doesn’t want them to be cheated… He just wants to do it for real as much as he can. As an actor, he wants to react to these things, you know?”
—Wade Eastwood, Stunt Coordinator
Balancing Practical Effects and Safety
The drive for perfection led director Christopher McQuarrie to repeatedly approach Eastwood, seeking to escalate the intensity by adding more torpedoes to the scene. Through months of designing and experimenting, the production finally included up to five torpedoes, but always came back to a key safety rule.
“If it’s uncontrolled, we’re not doing it.”
—Wade Eastwood, Stunt Coordinator
Despite Kelly Westwood’s constant focus on safety, the risk never disappeared. During the challenging shoot, Tom Cruise even became trapped at one point, a tense reminder of the dangers involved with practical stunts. However, due to Cruise’s extensive underwater training and ability to hold his breath, the situation remained under control, as colleagues acted quickly to free him.
“He got trapped once. It wasn’t bad, because Tom can hold his breath for a long time. Before he had even finished being trapped, I was already pulling the thing off him.”
—Wade Eastwood, Stunt Coordinator
Audience Reaction and Legacy of the Stunt
The commitment to authenticity displayed in
“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning”
has sparked buzz among both industry insiders and audiences, particularly after marketing materials revealed Cruise looking noticeably anxious before diving into the water. Director Christopher McQuarrie and his team’s insistence on maintaining control, alongside Tom Cruise’s determination to perform authentic stunts, set a new benchmark for action filmmaking.
The film, now showing in cinemas, offers viewers an experience shaped by Cruise’s courage and relentless pursuit of realism. The real torpedo underwater stunt in “Mission Impossible” highlights how performers and filmmakers like Cruise and McQuarrie continue to challenge the boundaries of cinematic spectacle, potentially influencing how future blockbusters are made. As fans and critics take note of the latest daring feat, the production’s unwavering focus on both audience immersion and safety stands as a defining element of this entry in the franchise.
