Tom Cruise Reveals Secrets Behind Extreme Mission: Impossible Stunts

LOS ANGELES, CA — In a rare interview with PEOPLE, Tom Cruise shared insights into his most daring stunts as Ethan Hunt in the upcoming release of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which hits theaters May 23.

At 62, Cruise is known for performing high-stakes stunts himself, a practice he finds both challenging and rewarding. “If it was easy, I guess we wouldn’t want to do it,” he remarked, emphasizing his belief in the importance of embracing difficulty in filmmaking.

Throughout his career, Cruise has consistently trained to acquire new skills that enhance his performances, from flying planes to dancing. He noted, “I will learn a skill, and I know eventually I’m going to use it in a movie,” highlighting his dedication to the craft.

In the next Mission: Impossible film, Cruise’s character hangs from and crawls along the wings of a vintage biplane flying over South Africa’s Drakensberg mountains. Reflecting on the stunt, he said, “It takes your breath away,” a sentiment echoed by director Christopher McQuarrie, who praised Cruise’s hands-on approach.

“Anytime you see Tom in the plane, he’s at the controls,” McQuarrie explained, adding that Cruise essentially acts as a one-man film crew, simultaneously operating the camera, acting, and flying the aircraft.

Stunt coordinator Wade Eastwood also corroborated the authenticity of the aerial sequences, stating there was not a single shot taken on a green screen. “Everyone will think we did some on green screen on the ground,” he said, emphasizing the reality behind the stunts.

Before attempting such stunts, Cruise reveals he prepares with a hearty meal, stating, “I actually eat a massive breakfast… My body is burning a lot.” He highlights the physical demands of such death-defying feats.

Looking back at his career, Cruise recalled a dangerous stunt from Rogue Nation, where his late mother expressed relief at not having known about it beforehand. Even after eight films in the franchise, Cruise continues to feel a sense of awe. “I love making movies. It’s not what I do. It’s who I am,” he concluded.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is set to premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.