Tom Cruise's Mission: Impossible Adventure In Belize: Unveiling The Secrets

In December 2020, leaked audio revealed Tom Cruise shouting at 'Mission: Impossible 7' crew members in an expletive-laden rant for breaking COVID-19 set safety protocols. Cruise later clarified that he didn't shout at the entire crew and that he had the crew leave the set while he scolded select people.

Tom Cruise's COVID-19 rant on the set of 'Mission: Impossible 7'

In December 2020, audio leaked of Tom Cruise shouting at the crew of Mission: Impossible 7 for breaching COVID-19 protocols. The rant, which took place on the London set of the film, was reportedly triggered by two crew members standing too close to one another in front of a computer screen.

In the audio, Cruise can be heard saying:

> "We are the gold standard. 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—ing 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—ers. I don’t ever want to see it again. Ever! And if you don’t do it you’re fired, if I see you do it again you’re f—ing gone. [...] That’s what I sleep with every night. The future of this f—ing industry! So I’m sorry I am beyond your apologies. I have told you, and now I want it, and if you don’t do it, you’re out. We are not shutting this f—ing movie down! Is it understood? If I see it again you’re f—ing gone — and you are — so you’re going to cost him his job, if I see it on the set you’re gone and you’re gone."

The rant sparked an industry debate about whether Cruise's behaviour and tone were appropriate. While some, like George Clooney, agreed with the sentiment behind Cruise's outburst, others, such as Leah Remini (a former Scientologist and long-time critic of Cruise), condemned it as a publicity stunt. Spencer MacDonald, of the entertainment union Bectu, said: "After a very difficult year for freelancers working in the industry, the last thing crews deserve is a multi-millionaire Hollywood star screaming abuse and threatening their jobs."

Cruise himself later addressed the incident in an interview with Empire magazine, saying, "I said what I said. There was a lot at stake at that point." He clarified that he did not shout in front of the entire crew and only addressed those directly involved with the safety violation.

The safety protocols in place on the set of 'Mission: Impossible 7'

The COVID-19 pandemic halted many film productions, and while most have since resumed work, it has been with new health and safety measures in place. The Mission: Impossible franchise was no exception, and Tom Cruise—who plays Ethan Hunt and is one of the spy series' producers—took these protocols very seriously.

In December 2020, leaked audio revealed Cruise shouting at crew members on the set of Mission: Impossible 7 for allegedly breaking COVID-19 safety protocols. Cruise was particularly angry about two crew members standing within two metres of each other in front of a computer screen. In his profanity-laced tirade, he said:

> We are the gold standard. 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 fucking 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 motherfuckers! I don’t ever want to see it again.

Cruise had spent around £500,000 (close to $672,000) on renting a cruise ship for the cast and crew to stay on while filming in Norway. However, despite the precautions, COVID-19 cases were unavoidable. In October 2020, 12 crew members tested positive for the virus, leading to "crisis talks" between Cruise and the movie's director/co-writer, Christopher McQuarrie.

In the leaked audio, Cruise continued:

> That’s it. No apologies. You can tell it to the people that are losing their fucking 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 the fucking industry. So I’m sorry I’m beyond your apologies. I told you and now I want it, and if you don’t do it, you’re out. We are not shutting this fucking movie down! Is it understood? If I see it again, you’re fucking gone.

Cruise later clarified that he didn't shout at the "entire crew". He said he "had the crew leave the set" while he scolded "select people".

The actor's rant provoked both strong support for its public safety message and criticism. However, Cruise stood by his comments, saying that they were effective because filming was "never shut down again" during the pandemic.

Tom Cruise's response to the backlash against his rant

Cruise also admitted that he became very emotional at the prospect of production shutting down again after it had already been delayed twice. He was thinking about the people he works with and his industry, and he was relieved that filming was "never shut down again" during the pandemic.

While some praised Cruise for taking COVID-19 regulations seriously, others criticised his aggressive retaliation as an abuse of power. His response to the backlash neither acknowledged nor expressed regret for the way he spoke to his crew members. Instead, he doubled down on his messaging and emphasised the effectiveness of his outburst in ensuring that filming continued.

The impact of Tom Cruise's rant on the 'Mission: Impossible' franchise

Tom Cruise's rant on the set of Mission: Impossible 7 (MI7) in December 2020, where he berated crew members for breaching COVID-19 safety protocols, had a significant impact on the franchise. The rant, though defended by director Christopher McQuarrie and some co-stars, sparked public backlash and criticism. Despite this, Cruise stood by his comments, citing the need to keep the industry alive and people employed during a challenging time for the film industry.

The impact of the rant on the Mission: Impossible franchise was multifaceted. Firstly, it brought attention to the franchise, both positive and negative, as the public debated the appropriateness of Cruise's outburst. While some supported his passion for keeping people safe, others criticized his aggressive tone and use of expletives. This controversy likely contributed to the increased scrutiny and expectations for the film's performance.

Secondly, the rant highlighted the challenges of filming during the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of adhering to safety protocols. Cruise's comments emphasized the economic impact of the film industry and the potential consequences of any shutdowns due to safety breaches. This aspect of the rant received some support from industry professionals and reinforced the need for strict protocols to keep productions running smoothly.

Thirdly, the rant may have contributed to the underperformance of "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1" at the box office. While there are likely multiple factors at play, the negative publicity surrounding the rant could have influenced audience perceptions and attendance. This underperformance has led to questions about the future of the franchise and speculation about the potential conclusion of Cruise's time as Ethan Hunt.

Finally, the rant may have indirectly impacted the franchise by influencing Cruise's career decisions. His recent deal with Warner Bros. to create new movies and franchises has sparked further discussions about the future of Mission: Impossible. While Cruise has stated that the Warner Bros. deal does not signal the end of the franchise, it does indicate his intention to explore new opportunities and reduce his commitment to the Mission: Impossible series.

In conclusion, Tom Cruise's rant on the set of MI7 had a significant impact on the Mission: Impossible franchise. It brought both positive and negative attention, highlighted the challenges of filming during a pandemic, potentially contributed to box office underperformance, and influenced Cruise's career trajectory. The full extent of its impact may become clearer as the franchise evolves and future instalments are released or cancelled.

Tom Cruise's relationship with the 'Mission: Impossible' crew

Tom Cruise is the star and producer of the Mission: Impossible film series, in which he plays Ethan Hunt, an agent of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF). The series is based on the 1966 TV show of the same name and its 1988 sequel series.

Cruise is known for performing his own stunts in the Mission: Impossible films, including a scene in Mission: Impossible – Fallout, where he performed a HALO jump, falling at speeds of 200 to 220 mph from 25,000 to 30,000 feet.

Cruise has been involved in the Mission: Impossible films since the beginning, when he founded Cruise/Wagner Productions in 1992 and decided that the inaugural project would be Mission: Impossible. He has also been a driving force behind the franchise, with director Christopher McQuarrie saying that Cruise wanted him to lead the sequel to Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, despite McQuarrie's initial reluctance.

Cruise has also been instrumental in bringing his castmates back to the franchise, with Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Rebecca Ferguson, and Vanessa Kirby all returning for Mission: Impossible – Fallout. However, Cruise's relationship with his castmates has not always been smooth sailing. In 2015, a dispute over his pay stalled pre-production for several months, and in 2016, Jeremy Renner declined to reprise his role as William Brandt, partly due to frequent script changes that interfered with his family time.

Despite these challenges, the Mission: Impossible films have been a success, with the franchise becoming the 17th-highest-grossing film series of all time, earning over $4.09 billion worldwide. Cruise's performance as Ethan Hunt has been praised by critics, and he has been described as the modern James Bond. The Mission: Impossible films have also been recognised for their direction, cinematography, stunts, action sequences, and musical scores.

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