Tom Cruise has consistently raised the stakes in the Mission: Impossible series, from high-speed train sequences to daring motorcycle stunts. As Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning approaches its release, fans wonder how he plans to surpass his own thrilling achievements. One standout feature he has teased is an unconventional underwater stunt, which he boasts will be unprecedented for viewers.
Innovative Underwater Stunts
In a recent post on X, Cruise reflected on his four-decade experience with underwater filming, stating, “From Legend in 1985 to Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, I have been studying and filming underwater sequences for over 40 years.” He continued, emphasizing the commitment to pushing filmmaking boundaries and expressed excitement about the unique underwater sequence planned for the film.
Alongside his announcement, Cruise shared behind-the-scenes footage featuring scenes of him navigating through the wreckage of a submarine housing a threatening AI entity, known as The Entity, from the 2023 film Dead Reckoning. Director Christopher McQuarrie has reportedly reconstructed sections of the submarine’s interior to enhance the authenticity of this underwater sequence.
Previous Water Stunts in the Franchise
This will not be the franchise’s first venture into underwater action. In Rogue Nation, Cruise’s character, Ethan Hunt, famously held his breath for six minutes while attempting to unlock a hatch submerged in a massive tank designed for server cooling. This particular stunt was notable as it followed another underwater sequence from Edge of Tomorrow, further showcasing Cruise’s dedication to performing his own stunts.
Release and Anticipation
The Final Reckoning is set to be released in theaters on May 23. It promises to address several plot points, including callbacks to earlier films that have been hinted at in trailers, and explore how Ethan Hunt became involved with the IMF, a narrative thread teased in Dead Reckoning. Perhaps most significantly, speculation surrounds whether this installment will mark Cruise’s final appearance in the beloved franchise. His passion for filmmaking and box office success suggests he may continue for as long as possible, especially if The Final Reckoning performs well at the box office.