Tom Cruise revealed to what extent he was injured on the sets. The Hollywood star nearly broke his back in a mid-air biplane fight.The scene was filmed in Africa in Mission: Impossible–The Final Reckoning.
An erratic plane flew violently through turbulent weather conditions, with Cruise holding onto a seatbelt. He went on to admit that his fingers were even wrenched out of their joints during that violent sequence.
From director Christopher McQuarrie’s point of view, it was torturous to watch. Cruise himself just put it as, “Oh god, that was brutal.” This just emphasises both his extraordinary dedication and the dangers he faces.
The biplane fight was done 100 percent in real-time, without the benefit of green screens or digital doubles. For the audience, the spectacle was yet another way to remember Cruise’s never-ending pursuit of creating unforgettable experiences.
Tom cruise injured during shooting
The fight that pushed an ageing star to the limit
The filming called for perfect piloting and aerial helicopter photography above the wing. Cruise remarked that the force exerted on the body by the stunt went beyond everything he had anticipated.
He stated, “It’s so punishing on this wing… this is all real, guys. I need my whole body going.” At 62, there aren’t many actors who would even consider pulling off something of this nature, let alone perform this on their own.
Cruise’s dedication makes him unique and also a daredevil of contemporary cinema. McQuarrie and the stunt crew worked tirelessly minimising risks but still accidents occurred.
The injuries underscored the enormous physical toll of real-world filmmaking at high altitudes. But the film star stayed put- he considered it a matter of principle that his hard work should give the audience an authentic experience.
What past injuries has he risked before?
Cruise’s career is marked by risk, never far from injury in many films. He broke his ankle while filming a rooftop chase scene in Fallout, with production halting for weeks.
Ribs cracked and shoulder torn in crash after crash due to stunt accidents during earlier films. For Rogue Nation, he trained to free-dive for over six minutes.
That feat was on the edge of human possibility. For Dead Reckoning Part One, Cruise motorcycle-cliffed off a Norwegian escarpment before opening his parachute.
The press plastered stories of his endangerment for each mission and only strengthened the legend of Hollywood’s most daring star. Every scar is a mark for Cruise of the path he has taken to establish cinematic credibility.
Broke his ankle during shoot
Is Mission: Impossible really ending here?
This film signifies the eighth chapter in the Mission: Impossible series. Launched in May, The Final Reckoning has grossed nearly US$600 million across the globe.
In Australian dollars, this is about AU$934 million, making it one of the year’s blockbusters. Fans have debated whether this film closes the book on Ethan Hunt.
Cruise himself hinted that this may be his final run as the iconic agent.After almost 30 years in the role, retirement might be close.
Analysts in the business circles observe that, through the changing times of cinematic tastes, Cruise still manages to draw audiences. Should this one genuinely be his last, it is surely a high note to seal in his legacy.
How does Cruise plan such dangerous stunts?
The stunts are planned with extreme care between Cruise and McQuarrie. They use practical effects, real locations, and long rehearsal periods.
The safety margins are tested over and over optimally to perform the stunt on fullscale. Cruise has repeatedly said, “Don’t be careful: be competent.”
This idea is the formula behind how safety and spectacle are married by his team. Behind the camera, experts will keep an eye on G-force, wind conditions, and emergency protocols.
But the risk will ultimately become that of Cruise himself, who treats each challenge as an art form. And now they say that his endurance and willingness to go to any length have become inherent to the franchise.
Why do audiences still cheer for his dangerous work?
The audience responds because they experience the danger as real. Unlike CGI, Cruise’s stunts give that real sense of danger.
His commitment towards it is akin to those of the silent era daredevils who would do their stunts on the exteriors of trains and skyscrapers. That tradition of physical spectacle lives on in his work.
His fans still adore him for his refusal to go overboard with digital sorcery. They realise his body takes a gamble with every leap and climb.
For many, it is evidence of his continued love of film. Though some worry about his health, most celebrate his willingness to put himself in danger. The drive makes them cheer and box office receipts soar.
Also Read: Dr James Dobson Dies at 89: Legacy of Family Advocacy
Conclusion
Injuries that Cruise’s recent stunts sustained is the payoff for his never-ending pursuit of authenticity. At 62, he keeps pushing himself beyond the limits of age and safety.
This biplane fight sequence in The Final Reckoning would be one more among those legendary stunts.Whether this would be the last of his outings as Ethan Hunt remains unknown. What is sure is that there can be no more anointed action icon unto him in modern times.
