Tom Cruise recently made an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, where he shared some behind-the-scenes details about his iconic lines and stunts in the Mission Impossible movies. In one segment of the show, Tom spoke about a scene in the last Mission Impossible movie where he had to hold his breath underwater for a remarkable six and a half minutes. He revealed that the long takes for this particular scene were quite challenging, as he had to consistently hold his breath for up to four minutes per take. Tom also mentioned that he had trained extensively for this sequence, using breathing exercises to lower his heart rate and conserve oxygen. The process was so intense that there were times he even forgot to breathe while sitting in meetings! Although the scene wasn’t six and a half minutes long, as some mistakenly believe, it still required a tremendous amount of preparation and effort.
During the interview, Tom also discussed a memorable stunt from one of the Mission Impossible movies. He showed footage of running across a wall and pulling himself over, which ultimately led to him breaking his ankle. Despite the injury, Tom admirably continued with the scene and even completed multiple takes to get the perfect shot. The sheer dedication and professionalism demonstrated by Tom in this incident truly exemplify why he is one of the highest-paid actors in the industry.
Aside from Mission Impossible, Tom is also widely recognized for his running scenes and ability to convincingly portray the high-intensity action that the movies demand. Clips from different movies were shown on the talk show, including a scene of him running away from an exploding van in the Channel Tunnel and another where he escapes from an exploding fish tank. Tom admitted that the timing of these explosions can sometimes be a bit nerve-wracking, as it requires perfect coordination with the pyrotechnics team.
To demonstrate the physical demands of his action-packed role, Tom invited some members of the audience to participate in a fun exercise. They were asked to run towards the camera while a green screen created the illusion of an explosion behind them. The participants enthusiastically embraced the challenge, showcasing their best running and facial expressions.
Throughout the interview, Tom’s passion for his craft and his incredible commitment to delivering high-octane performances were evident. His dedication to his work has allowed him to create some of the most iconic and memorable moments in cinematic history. Whether it’s holding his breath underwater for minutes or running away from explosions, Tom Cruise continues to captivate audiences with his fearless approach to filmmaking.
