Tom Cruise is known for his dedication to his craft and his willingness to push the boundaries when it comes to performing stunts in his films. Despite the risks involved, Cruise has always insisted on doing his own stunts, and there are several reasons behind his decision.
A Passion for Thrills
From a young age, Tom Cruise has always been drawn to activities that provide an adrenaline rush. He enjoyed performing flips off the house into the snow and racing bicycles over ditches as a child. As he grew older, he developed a love for fast cars, motorcycles, hiking, and climbing. Cruise’s passion for thrill-seeking activities naturally translates into his desire to perform his own stunts in films.
Bringing Authenticity to the Screen
Cruise believes that performing his own stunts adds authenticity to the films he stars in. He feels that by physically and emotionally immersing himself in a character, he can bring a level of realism to the storytelling. Cruise has trained for over 30 years to perform stunts, and he believes that his experience allows him to bring a unique perspective to the characters he portrays.
Putting Cameras in Unusual Places
One of the advantages of Tom Cruise doing his own stunts is that it allows filmmakers to place cameras in locations that would otherwise be impossible. By performing daring stunts himself, Cruise enables the audience to experience the action from unique angles and perspectives. This adds an extra layer of excitement and immersion to the films he stars in.
Building Trust with Directors and Stunt Coordinators
Over the years, Tom Cruise has built a strong rapport with directors and stunt coordinators. They trust his abilities and know that he is committed to safety and delivering the best possible performance. Cruise’s dedication to his craft and his willingness to take on challenging stunts have earned him the respect of his colleagues in the industry.
Tom Cruise’s Most Memorable Stunts
Throughout his career, Tom Cruise has performed numerous death-defying stunts that have left audiences in awe. Here are some of his most memorable stunts:
Mission: Impossible (Aquarium Scene)
In the first Mission: Impossible film, Cruise performed a scene involving an exploding aquarium. He ran with 16 gallons of water following right behind him, while another person was sent flying through a glass panel.
Mission: Impossible II (Rock Climbing Scene)
Cruise climbed and hung off giant rocks on the side of a cliff in the opening scene of Mission: Impossible II. He had only a safety cable to help soften any impact, making it a dangerous and intense stunt.
Top Gun (Parachute Scene)
In Top Gun, Cruise and his co-pilot were ejected from a jet and parachuted into the water. During filming, Cruise began to sink due to water building up in his parachute, putting him at risk of drowning.
The Last Samurai (Samurai Sword Scene)
While filming a fight sequence, Cruise came within an inch of being struck by a real samurai sword. The horse he was riding on didn’t stop as planned, and Cruise narrowly avoided a potentially tragic accident.
Collateral (Car Crash Scene)
During a car chase sequence, Jamie Foxx accidentally crashed into Cruise’s Mercedes-Benz. Although Cruise was tossed around inside the car, he escaped serious injury.
Edge of Tomorrow (Car Crash Scene)
Emily Blunt revealed that she almost killed Cruise during a driving scene in Edge of Tomorrow. She took a turn too late, driving them into a tree. Thankfully, Cruise was unharmed and found the incident amusing.
Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol (Scaling a Skyscraper Scene)
Cruise scaled Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, for a scene in Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol. He climbed, swung, and ran up and down the building with only a wire keeping him from falling.
Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation (Plane Scene)
Cruise dangled on the outside of an Airbus 400 as it took off in Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation. He was attached to the plane via a harness and wires, ensuring his safety during the daring stunt.
Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation (Underwater Breathing Scene)
Cruise underwent training to hold his breath underwater for six minutes for a scene in Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation. He successfully completed the mission, showcasing his dedication to performing challenging stunts.
Mission: Impossible – Fallout (Building Jump Scene)
While filming a building jump scene, Cruise broke his ankle when his foot slipped and bent upwards on impact. Despite the injury, he continued filming and completed the scene, demonstrating his commitment to delivering an authentic performance.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (Speed-Flying and Motorbiking Off a Cliff Scenes)
In the latest installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, Cruise learned how to speed-fly down mountainsides and rode a motorbike off a cliff, parachuting to safety. These stunts showcase his ongoing dedication to performing death-defying acts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why does Tom Cruise do his own stunts?
Tom Cruise does his own stunts because he has a passion for thrill-seeking activities and enjoys the adrenaline rush they provide. He believes that performing his own stunts adds authenticity to the films he stars in and allows him to bring a level of realism to the storytelling.
2. How long has Tom Cruise been doing his own stunts?
Tom Cruise has been doing his own stunts for over 30 years. He has trained extensively to perform stunts and has built a strong rapport with directors and stunt coordinators, who trust his abilities and commitment to safety.
3. What are some of Tom Cruise’s most memorable stunts?
Some of Tom Cruise’s most memorable stunts include climbing and hanging off giant rocks on the side of a cliff in Mission: Impossible II, scaling Dubai’s Burj Khalifa in Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol, and dangling on the outside of an Airbus 400 in Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation.
4. Has Tom Cruise ever been injured while performing a stunt?
Yes, Tom Cruise has been injured while performing stunts. He broke his ankle during a building jump scene in Mission: Impossible – Fallout but continued filming despite the injury. Cruise’s dedication to delivering an authentic performance sometimes comes with risks.
5. How does Tom Cruise’s commitment to performing his own stunts benefit his films?
Tom Cruise’s commitment to performing his own stunts adds a layer of believability and authenticity to his films. It allows filmmakers to place cameras in unique locations and angles, providing audiences with a more immersive experience. Cruise’s dedication to his craft and willingness to take on challenging stunts have earned him the respect of his colleagues in the industry.