Secrets Behind Tom Cruise’s ‘Biggest Stunt in Cinema History’
Actor Tom Cruise, who just turned 61 this week, accomplished a death-defying stunt in the latest Mission Impossible film, hailed as the “biggest and most dangerous stunt in cinema history.”
Paramount Pictures provided a behind-the-scenes look at the intricate planning involved in executing the audacious scene for Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, the seventh installment of the franchise.
Known for his fearlessness in performing his own stunts, Cruise surprised audiences in a 10-minute video released by Paramount in December, showcasing a scene where he drives a motorcycle off a cliff, freefalls, and then parachutes into a Norwegian valley.
Director Christopher McQuarrie described it as “the most dangerous thing we’ve ever attempted” and commended Cruise’s involvement in coordinating the experts to make it happen.
The stunt required extensive training, including over 13,000 motorcycle jumps and 500 skydives. Members of the crew even expressed concerns about losing Cruise during the death-defying stunts.
Co-star Simon Pegg shared these fears, stating that Cruise engages in genuinely dangerous activities like jumping off cliffs and hanging off trains.
To prepare for the scene, Cruise underwent intensive training in BASE jumping and motocross. He practiced on a custom-built motocross track, jumping 80ft tabletops around 13,000 times.
Stunt coordinator Wade Eastwood described Cruise’s dedication, with the actor performing over 30 jumps per day and becoming “just a machine.”
The crew meticulously planned the jump, creating a replica using a ramp and a quarry filled with cardboard boxes as a landing area. The jump was later filmed in Hellesylt, Norway.
Using GPS data recorded during the jumps, the crew calculated Cruise’s speed and trajectory, ensuring proper camera placement for capturing the moment.
Cruise explained that hitting specific speeds and maintaining consistency were crucial to the stunt, relying on the sound and feel of the bike rather than a speedometer.
Miles Daisher, the BASE jumping coach, praised Cruise’s exceptional spatial awareness and willingness to learn.
This jaw-dropping stunt was just one of the many remarkable feats Cruise performed in the newest Mission Impossible film, slated for release on July 12.
In an interview, Cruise expressed his admiration for Harrison Ford’s acting at 80 and stated his intent to continue making Mission Impossible films until he reaches a similar age.
Watch the clip below:
