Following a production halt in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the team behind MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7 is ready to get back into action with production set to resume in September.
First assistant director Tommy Gormley spoke to the "BBC" on Tuesday after the release of the British Film Commission safety protocols and he's confident that the Tom Cruise-led action sequel can get back to work in the next three months and be wrapped up by May 2021:
"We hope to start shooting again in September. We were days from shooting in Venice – we were right at the epicenter when it all kicked off – so we had to shut down in Venice where we were four or five days from shooting. We hope to restart in September, we hope to visit all the countries we planned to and look to do a big chunk of it back in the UK on the backlot and in the studio, so September through to end April/May is our targets. We are convinced we can do this."
Gormley went on to add that the British Film Commission guidelines are "excellent" but also said returning would not be without significant challenges given the scale and scope of the shoot, its multiple locations, and "giant" crew. Gormley is convinced that everything they are hoping to do will be possible if they approach all of the procedures carefully:
"We have to get back to work for every person in the film industry, tens of thousands of us, we have to get back to work. We have to do it safely and protect our colleagues, but it is definitely possible and we're working flat out to make it happen."
Actor Simon Pegg, who plays Benji Dunn in the franchise, echoed Gormley's sentiments while speaking to "Variety" where he also said the plan was to restart in September and “That will begin with the outdoor stuff. That feels fairly doable, and obviously there will be precautions put in place.” It really looks like these bigger productions will be the template on how the industry can get back to work safely, particularly productions with a large crew and various location shoots.
Do YOU think MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE will resume production in September?