Tom Cruise is no stranger to pushing the limits of action filmmaking, but his latest stunt for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning took things to a whole new level. In a recent interview with Empire, Cruise revealed that he struggled with hypoxia while shooting an underwater sequence in which his character, Ethan Hunt, explores the wreckage of a submarine.
A Physically Punishing Underwater Scene
Filmed inside a massive 8.5-million-liter water tank mounted on a rotating gimbal, the sequence required Cruise to wear a specially designed suit and mask. However, he could only keep the gear on for 10 minutes at a time before experiencing oxygen deprivation.
"I’m breathing in my own carbon dioxide," Cruise explained. "It builds up in the body and affects the muscles. You have to overcome all of that while you’re doing it, and be present."
Director Christopher McQuarrie described the sequence as "so challenging and so terrifying" that even Cruise, known for his extreme dedication, found it incredibly demanding. "He’s in a rotating structure filled with debris, and we had to make it look as chaotic and unhinged as possible — while ensuring Tom could navigate and survive," McQuarrie added.
Losing Consciousness at 130 mph
This isn’t the only extreme stunt Cruise endured for the upcoming film. He also revealed that he passed out multiple times while filming a high-speed airplane sequence. "When you stick your face out [of an airplane] at 120 to 130 miles an hour, you’re not getting oxygen," Cruise said.
"So I had to train myself how to breathe. There were times I would pass out physically; I was unable to get back into the cockpit."
With the film set to premiere on May 23, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning promises to deliver some of the most jaw-dropping action sequences of Cruise’s career. His relentless pursuit of realism continues to raise the bar for action movies, proving once again why he remains one of Hollywood’s most daring performers.
