Tom Cruise has become synonymous with actors doing their own stunts. But one risk Cruise wasn’t taking during the making of the latest Mission: Impossible had to do with COVID-19. Now, as the release of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One nears, director Christopher McQuarrie is defending Tom Cruise’s 2020 COVID rant on the set.
Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, McQuarrie said Tom Cruise was in the right to lash out at crew members for not adhering to COVID protocols put in place. “That all took place during a very complicated and a very uncertain time…Obviously, we’re grateful that people took it the way that it was intended. We were fighting to keep the industry alive, we were fighting to keep people employed, we were fighting for the studio, we were fighting for cinemas, and we still are. We’re still there doing that. I’m just glad people understood the intention behind it.”
In December 2020, audio leaked of Tom Cruise lashing out at crew members for breaking COVID guidelines, particularly social distancing. In the clip, Cruise is heard saying, in part, “They’re back there in Hollywood making movies right now because of us! Because they believe in us and what we’re doing! I’m on the phone with every f*cking studio at night, insurance companies, producers, and they’re looking at us and using us to make their movies. We are creating thousands of jobs, you motherf*ckers. I don’t ever want to see it again! Ever! If I see you do it again, you’re f*cking gone…And if anyone in this crew does it, that’s it…That’s it! No apologies. You can tell it to the people that are losing their f*cking homes because our industry is shut down. It’s not going to put food on their table or pay for their college education. That’s what I sleep with every night. The future of this f*cking industry!” Production had previously been halted in October due to a dozen people getting COVID.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One was originally supposed to be released in July 2021 but was delayed numerous times. Fortunately, the studio threw fans a small bone when they announced it would be pushed up two days to July 12th. Its sequel is currently slated for June 2024.
What were your thoughts on Tom Cruise’s COVID rant when it leaked? Do you agree with director Christopher McQuarrie’s sentiments? Give us your take in the comments section below.