Explosive Clash: Tom Cruise's Epic Showdown with Paramount Boss Halts Mission Impossible 7 & 8!

Summary

Cruise and McQuarrie faced friction when they decided to incorporate a submarine sequence into the film, originally intended for Dead Reckoning Part Two. Paramount CEO, Brian Robbins, recollects a significant disagreement between the studio and Tom Cruise concerning Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two. The seventh installment of this enduring action franchise features Cruise reprising his role as superspy Ethan Hunt, who must confront a perilous AI threat. Directed once again by Christopher McQuarrie, the film suffered setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in an escalated budget of approximately $290 million, surpassing its initial plan.

In a recent interview with Variety, Robbins discusses the deadlock that arose between Paramount and Cruise regarding Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. Aside from the escalating budget of the film, one particular sticking point was Cruise and McQuarrie's insistence, late in the process, on including a submarine sequence that was originally planned for Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two. Read below for Robbins' comment on the dispute:

"Let's just say that there was a disagreement between the studio, the production, and Tom regarding the direction of the project, resulting in a standstill. We had to pause and reevaluate how to proceed with 'Dead Reckoning Part Two' while still completing 'Part One.' It was a matter concerning the production and the magnitude of what was being requested. We needed to consider if it was necessary, why it was needed, and the resources and time it would require."

Mission: Impossible 7's Troubled Production Explained

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One faced significant setbacks during production in Italy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film experienced a total of seven shutdowns since February 2020, putting immense strain on its budget. Despite the challenges, the cast and crew remained employed throughout the shutdowns, with Cruise personally covering the expense of chartering two cruise ships to accommodate everyone involved.

The production of Mission: Impossible 7 was undoubtedly a stressful period for everyone involved. This was evident when audio leaked of Cruise expressing anger towards crew members who failed to follow COVID safety protocols. The difficulties caused by the pandemic were further amplified by Cruise and McQuarrie's approach, which involved a more flexible concept for the film rather than a strictly defined plan.

Taking an open approach to exploring different creative paths, Cruise and McQuarrie concluded that incorporating a submarine sequence was essential in introducing Mission: Impossible 7's AI antagonist. Even before the release of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, the team had already embarked on the development of the next installment in the franchise. Unfortunately, the filming of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two has faced continuous setbacks, including the potential impact of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike on the planned production resumption in the fall.