Tom Cruise’s latest stunt in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning has captured global attention for its sheer audacity and technical complexity. The sequence required Cruise to hang onto the wing of a flying biplane at speeds approaching 150 mph, sometimes using just one hand. He revealed that this feat was inspired by vintage footage of early wing walking, a daring aviation act he’d dreamed of attempting since childhood. To make the stunt possible, Cruise leaned on decades of experience as a pilot and years of aerial stunt training, explaining that he’s been flying various aircraft and studying aerial photography for over 40 years.

Preparation for the stunt was extensive and meticulous. Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie spent a year and a half in discussions, but Cruise emphasized that the groundwork truly took decades to lay. He described the physical challenges: the intense wind pressure made it nearly impossible to breathe, and the force on his body was immense—comparable to sticking a hand out of a car window at 60 mph, then multiplying that sensation several times over. Communication during the stunt was another hurdle; as the wind roared at up to 140 mph, Cruise and the crew relied on hand signals instead of radios.

Director McQuarrie highlighted the stunt’s danger, recounting moments when Cruise was on the wing for over 12 minutes at a stretch, leaving him so exhausted he sometimes lacked the strength to pull himself back into the plane. The risk was compounded by technical challenges, such as the engine cutting out when the plane flipped upside down, forcing Cruise to adapt in real time. He also had to master breathing techniques to cope with the wind and maintain focus while executing precise movements.

Cruise’s approach blends physical, mental, and technical preparation. He continually learns from each shoot, applying new skills and refining his understanding of aircraft dynamics and camera work. His goal isn’t just to perform the stunt, but to create a visceral, emotional experience for audiences, pushing the limits of what’s possible in modern cinema.

Cruise’s approach blends physical, mental, and technical preparation. He continually learns from each shoot, applying new skills and refining his understanding of aircraft dynamics and camera work. His goal isn’t just to perform the stunt, but to create a visceral, emotional experience for audiences, pushing the limits of what’s possible in modern cinema.