Heart-Stopping Moments: Tom Cruise's Near-Disastrous Close Call in Mission: Impossible 7

Tom Cruise, the star of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, has recently shared a harrowing experience during the filming of the movie. Known for his daring stunts, Cruise revealed that his motorcycle cliff jump almost ended in disaster. The upcoming seventh installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, directed by Christopher McQuarrie, showcases Cruise reprising his role as superspy Ethan Hunt, who battles a new adversary. In one particularly memorable scene, Cruise drives a motorcycle off a cliff and saves himself by deploying a parachute and gliding to safety. However, Cruise disclosed that the preparation for this stunt didn't go as planned. During an initial parachute jump to assess the wind conditions, a miscalculation nearly led him to parachute straight into the cliff face. Cruise recounts the nerve-wracking incident during the film's premiere in Rome.

There is a significant amount of engineering involved in figuring out the design of the ramp, the placement of the bowl, and the necessary speed. We conducted tests to account for different wind conditions, ensuring that everything is set up properly. This is my approach when tackling these types of challenges.

When brainstorming with Christopher McQuarrie, we first come up with an idea and then analyze how we can execute it. We break it down into smaller components. Fortunately, I have experience in skydiving, motorcycle riding, and jumps, but it requires refinement to achieve perfection. I prioritize performance and consider the route the helicopter will take to prevent any risks of being blown off the ramp.

During the jump, my main concern is avoiding any mishaps. I want to ensure that I don't collide with the drone after hitting the ramp. As my parachute opens, there is footage in the EPK where I was testing the wind in the bowl before jumping out of the helicopter. Unfortunately, my parachute opened in the wrong position and ended up turning towards the side of the mountain. I narrowly missed hitting it, but it was still dangerously close. It's crucial to pay attention to every detail to prevent any potential issues. Additionally, I have other thoughts on my mind since I'm also responsible for producing the movie. Considering it was the first day of shooting, my focus is on completing the jump successfully and swiftly.

Tom Cruise's Approach To Mission: Impossible Stunts Explained

Cruise has executed numerous astonishing stunts throughout the Mission: Impossible franchise. These include scaling the exterior of the Burj Khalifa in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, holding his breath for an extended underwater sequence in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, and performing a HALO jump for Mission: Impossible – Fallout. Despite the inherent danger, it is crucial to acknowledge that Cruise prioritizes safety. The impressive stunts showcased on screen are the outcome of extensive planning, training, and rehearsal that can span several months. For instance, Cruise's HALO jump necessitated the development of a new skydiving helmet, and he reportedly completed more than 100 skydives during the planning phase alone. While these stunts do involve risk, every precaution is taken to ensure they are as safe as possible.

Cruise's motorcycle jump in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, as seen in the video above, utilized a similar approach. Prior to the stunt, the actor dedicated approximately a year to training in base-jumping, advanced skydiving, and motocross. To enhance safety and predictability, the production team opted for Cruise to jump off a lengthy, artificial ramp instead of a cliff edge. The ramp was later removed using CGI. Nevertheless, as Cruise's latest account reveals, even with thorough preparation, the potential for disaster always remains.