Stunt on the set of 'Mission: Impossible' nearly caused Tom Cruise to fracture his spine
In a thrilling turn of events, Tom Cruise, reprising his iconic role as Ethan Hunt, performed a death-defying biplane stunt in the latest installment of the "Mission: Impossible" franchise, "The Final Reckoning."
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the high-risk stunt sequence was filmed under the direction and involvement of both Cruise and McQuarrie. The sequence, a major highlight of the film, was praised for its authenticity and danger.
During the biplane battle, Cruise's character, Ethan Hunt, could be seen clinging to the wing midair and leaping from one plane onto another. In a close call, he nearly broke his spinal cord while grabbing a seat belt and holding on for dear life as the plane flipped upside down, causing his hands to swell.
The stunt coordinator, Freddy Bouciegues, has high praise for Cruise, calling his dedication to the craft extraordinary.
Cruise's comments about the biplane stunt sequence came at the premiere of "The Final Reckoning." He confirmed that this would be his last time portraying the fictional IMF agent Hunt. However, Cruise does not see himself ever taking a step back from starring in action movies. He previously stated that he wants to keep making "Mission: Impossible" movies until he is in his 80s.
Tom Cruise first appeared on-screen as Ethan Hunt in 1996 and has reprised the role in seven additional films. "Final Reckoning" marks the last film in which he appears as Hunt.
In bonus content from the digital release of "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning," Cruise revealed the details of the biplane stunt sequence, sharing the challenges he faced and the lengths to which he went to ensure the sequence's authenticity.
Cruise's comments about his future in action films come after he vowed to continue working in the genre for the rest of his career. With "The Final Reckoning" pegged as the final installment in the "Mission: Impossible" franchise, fans can look forward to seeing more of Cruise's action-packed performances in the future.
