Unveiling the Unthinkable: Tom Cruise's Thrilling Stunt at Burj Khalifa
Witness Tom Cruise's daring feat that pushed the boundaries of possibility.
The iconic Burj Khalifa stunt in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is a pivotal moment for the franchise, leaving viewers to wonder if Tom Cruise actually climbed the skyscraper in real life. Known for his daring stunts, Cruise's exterior climb of the Burj Khalifa in the fourth Mission Impossible film is widely recognized as one of his most courageous feats. Despite the risks involved, Cruise has continued to push boundaries in subsequent movies, such as the HALO jump in Mission Impossible: Fallout. The Burj Khalifa stunt remains a timeless symbol in the world of cinema.
In Ghost Protocol, Tom Cruise's character, Ethan Hunt, travels to Dubai to thwart a nuclear threat after the dangerous criminal Cobalt steals a destructive weapon. Ethan's journey is never easy, as he must ascend to the 130th floor of the towering 2,722-foot skyscraper without using the elevator, relying instead on dubious suction gloves. While starting the climb from the 123rd floor may seem manageable, Ethan's descent and leap of faith truly test his limits. The Burj Khalifa stunt featuring Tom Cruise is undeniably one of the most gripping and exhilarating sequences ever filmed.
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Paramount+
Tom Cruise's Burj Khalifa Stunt Explained
The Actor Was Equipped With A Harness That Was Fixed To Strategic Points On The Building
Blended image of Tom Cruise scaling the Burj Khalifa in Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol - The Actor Was Equipped With A Harness That Was Fixed To Strategic Points On The Building - Tom Cruise's Burj Khalifa Stunt Explained
For the Tom Cruise Burj Khalifa stunt, the actor had to wear a harness securely attached to specific points on the building. This required special permits to drill into floors and walls, resulting in 35 broken windows by the Mission: Impossible 4 crew. Director Brad Bird consulted with engineers, climbers, and stuntmen to ensure safety. Despite considering a dedicated stuntman, Cruise opted to perform his own stunts, as he has done throughout his career.
During the shoot, Tom Cruise experienced discomfort as the tight harness restricted his circulation. To prevent numbness in his lower body, the crew had to work efficiently and quickly. The helicopters filming the stunt had a 30-minute flight limit, requiring each take to be carefully planned. Additionally, shooting in IMAX meant the cameras needed frequent film changes. The footage had to be flown back to Los Angeles for development before Bird could review the final shots.
The training for the Tom Cruise Burj Khalifa stunt was thorough and well-planned.
Thorough Training for Tom Cruise's Burj Khalifa Stunt
The crew constructed a glass wall to mimic the exterior of the actual building. Tom Cruise practiced climbing up and down multiple times to become accustomed to the harness and physical strain of the climb. They even used artificial lights to heat up the wall and replicate the temperature of the Burj Khalifa windows. Despite the challenges, the meticulous planning paid off in the end.
The Stunt Is Like A Live-Action Incredibles Scene
Tom Cruise hovering above the floor in Mission: Impossible - The Stunt Is Like A Live-Action Incredibles Scene - Why Tom Cruise On Burj Khalifa Is The Best Mission Impossible Stunt
Tom Cruise is known for performing his own stunts in the Mission: Impossible movies, from hanging off a plane to holding his breath for underwater scenes and doing over a hundred HALO jumps. However, the iconic Burj Khalifa sequence in Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol truly showcases his dedication to his craft. It is considered one of the most nail-biting and impressive stunt sequences in movie history, highlighting Cruise's commitment to delivering realistic and thrilling action scenes.
The Burj Khalifa stunt in Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol stands out as one of the best stunt scenes ever captured on camera. Climbing the side of the world's tallest building in real life adds a level of authenticity that sets this sequence apart. The stunt is not only thrilling but also infused with clever action comedy, such as the suction gloves having a humorous twist. This combination of heart-pounding action and comedic elements makes the Burj Khalifa stunt a standout moment in the Mission: Impossible franchise.
Was The Tom Cruise Burj Khalifa Stunt His Most Dangerous?
The Motorcycle Jump In Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning As Arguably More Dangerous
Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in the desert in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. - The Motorcycle Jump In Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning As Arguably More Dangerous - Was The Tom Cruise Burj Khalifa Stunt His Most Dangerous?
After his daring stunt at the Burj Khalifa, Tom Cruise continued to impress with more risky feats. In Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, he clung to the side of a plane during takeoff. Not stopping there, Cruise set a record by holding his breath underwater for a remarkable 6 minutes (until Kate Winslet broke the record in Avatar: The Way of Water). To top it off, he bravely committed to a dangerous HALO jump for Mission: Impossible - Fallout. The jump was deemed too perilous for Henry Cavill to attempt, as it would have endangered Cruise's life (via AutoEvolution).
The motorcycle jump in Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1 was the actor's most dangerous stunt yet. When Cruise let go, it was impossible to predict where the bike would land and many unforeseen factors made it difficult for the production team to plan properly. Conducting a risk assessment for the scene was the most challenging part of the movie's development. The unpredictable physics, the difficulty of controlling a vehicle in mid-air, and the proximity to rocks on a cliff edge made Cruise's motorcycle jump the riskiest stunt in the Mission: Impossible series.
Tom Cruise has sustained injuries multiple times due to his dedication to performing his own stunts (via MovieWeb).
It's not advisable to attempt the stunts seen in Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol or the motorcycle-parachute stunt. However, Tom Cruise continues to push the limits with each new film. In Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 2, Cruise may attempt his most dangerous stunts yet. In Mission: Impossible 8, Cruise could break his breath-holding record in a water stunt. Another airplane stunt is featured in the upcoming movie, this time at a high altitude. Despite the risks, Cruise is dedicated to delivering thrilling stunts for the enjoyment of the audience.
Editor's P/S:
The article showcases Tom Cruise's iconic Burj Khalifa stunt in "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol," highlighting his dedication to performing his own stunts. The elaborate planning, rigorous training, and use of a harness to ensure safety are fascinating aspects that demonstrate the actor's commitment to authenticity and realism. The stunt's nail-biting intensity and its status as one of the most impressive stunt sequences in movie history leave a lasting impact on the reader.
While the article acknowledges Cruise's continued pursuit of dangerous stunts, it also raises concerns about the risks involved. The mention of Cruise's injuries and the difficulty of predicting outcomes during certain stunts brings a sobering perspective to the adrenaline-fueled action. The article ultimately emphasizes the importance of safety and the need for meticulous planning and risk assessment when attempting such daring feats.
