Tom Cruise is gearing up for yet another thrilling installment of the beloved action franchise with the upcoming release of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Set to hit UK cinemas on May 21, 2025, this eighth outing promises to be packed with jaw-dropping stunts and heart-pounding action. Among the most anticipated scenes is a daring stunt where Cruise, reprising his role as IMF Agent Ethan Hunt, dangles from the wings of a biplane soaring over the breathtaking Drakensberg mountains in South Africa.
In an interview with People, Cruise shared insights into his intense preparation for such high-octane scenes. He revealed, "I actually eat a massive breakfast. The amount of energy it takes – I train so hard for that wing-walking. I'll eat, like, sausage and almost a dozen eggs and bacon and toast and coffee and fluids. Oh, I'm eating!" He explained that the altitude and cold conditions require him to fuel his body adequately, as he noted, "It's cold up there. We're at high altitude. My body is burning a lot."
Reflecting on his lifelong ambition to perform wing-walking, Cruise reminisced about seeing old footage of the stunt as a child. He pointed out a significant difference between those historical clips and his current endeavor: "Those aircraft were only traveling at, I don’t know, 40, 50 miles an hour. This aircraft is up to over 120 miles an hour." This level of speed adds an extra layer of thrill and risk to the already dangerous stunt.
But the high-flying action isn’t the only daring feat Cruise undertook for The Final Reckoning. In another heart-stopping scene, he filmed inside a massive water tank designed to simulate a submarine interior. This tank, capable of rotating a full 360 degrees, effectively turned the entire set into a giant washing machine. During this filming, Cruise had to breathe in recycled air containing carbon dioxide, which posed a risk of hypercapnia, a condition resulting from excessive CO2 in the blood. However, the seasoned actor, who has trained for hypoxia during his jet-flying experiences, managed the situation, stating, "Luckily when you’re flying jets you train for hypoxia and for carbon dioxide buildup. You start to be able to perceive your body and how it’s reacting so that I knew when to stop."
Director Christopher McQuarrie admitted that the stunt was more intense than anyone had anticipated, saying, "If we knew what it took to do it, we would not have done it." Yet, Cruise remains undeterred by the risks involved, asserting, "On Mission, if it was easy, I guess we wouldn’t want to do it." His commitment to pushing boundaries in action filmmaking has become a hallmark of the franchise.
As fans eagerly await the film's release, promotional efforts are ramping up. Regal Cinemas recently unveiled a unique promotional popcorn bucket designed to resemble the red orb housing the Entity, the main artificial intelligence antagonist in the film. This interactive bucket features a cruciform key that unlocks the Entity's housing, echoing Cruise's character's mission in the movie. Interestingly, Cruise was involved in the design process, having worked with the studio to craft the popcorn bucket, which reflects his dedication to the film's marketing.
While plot details remain largely under wraps, it is confirmed that Ethan Hunt will once again lead his team against his nemesis Gabriel, played by Esai Morales, who is intent on unleashing the destructive power of the Entity. The film promises to bring back familiar faces from previous installments, including Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Haley Atwell, among others. Directed by McQuarrie, the film is produced by Cruise's TC Productions and is expected to deliver the same high-stakes action and intricate plots that fans have come to love.
In a departure from his usual promotional strategy, Cruise is reportedly engaging in more press appearances ahead of The Final Reckoning than he has for past films. He is set to appear on shows like The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, marking his first appearance on the program since 2018. This shift in approach comes after the underwhelming box office performance of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, which, despite grossing over $570 million worldwide, did not yield the expected profits due to its massive budget.
With The Final Reckoning carrying a hefty budget estimated between $350 million and $400 million, projections suggest an opening weekend of $100-120 million domestically. However, as seen with other recent films, such as Captain America: Brave New World, a strong opening does not guarantee sustained success.
As the release date approaches, the excitement builds not only for the film itself but also for the remarkable feats Cruise continues to undertake in the name of entertainment. His dedication to performing his own stunts and pushing the limits of what is possible in action cinema has solidified his status as one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood.
With all eyes on Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, fans are left to wonder what new heights Cruise will reach and what thrilling adventures await Ethan Hunt and his team. As the franchise prepares to conclude this chapter, audiences can expect nothing short of spectacular from one of cinema's most enduring action heroes.
