The “Mission: Impossible” star Tom Cruise did the stunt at the 2024 Olympics for free, leaving fans and industry insiders alike in awe.
Weeks after his daring feat at the Paris Games, behind-the-scenes insights have surfaced, unveiling the remarkable lengths Cruise went to for this his ambitious performance. During a recent CNBC x Boardroom: Game Plan panel discussing the upcoming 2028 Olympics, Casey Wasserman, president and chair of LA28, shed light on how they managed to secure Cruise’s extraordinary appearance. He elaborated on the star’s unique request for no pay and the absence of a stunt double.
“He wrapped up shooting ‘Mission: Impossible’ at 6 p.m. in London, jumped onto a plane, and arrived in L.A. at 4 a.m.,” Wasserman recounted, as shared by The Hollywood Reporter. “He immediately filmed the scene where he lands on a military aircraft. Then in Los Angeles, he completed two jumps; he wasn’t satisfied with the first. Following that, he helicoptered from Palmdale to the Hollywood sign, filming from 1 until 5 p.m., before returning to Burbank Airport and flying back to London.” Remarkably, Cruise orchestrated this incredible endeavor entirely free of charge.
Wasserman, who enlisted seasoned producer Ben Winston to actualize the stunt, shared that the initial concept was presented to Cruise during a Zoom call.
“The most intriguing aspect is that we started with the idea of using a stunt double in the stadium,” Wasserman explained. “We thought, ‘We’ll manage to get a few hours of footage. He’ll complete his part with the Hollywood sign, and then that will be it. The rest would need to be filled with a double.’ But around five minutes into the pitch, Cruise declared, ‘Count me in! But only if I can do everything myself.’”
“Ben cautioned, ‘Don’t get too optimistic. He relishes this type of work, but when his crew sees the extent of the filming days and rehearsals, this will never happen. It’ll be great to say we got his interest, but we’ll run into obstacles,’” Wasserman reflected. Yet, as the project unfolded, Cruise’s enthusiasm only grew, deepening his involvement at each stage.
“There truly isn’t another individual like him on the planet,” Winston remarked in an interview with THR. “He is the quintessential collaborator.”
“The French team deserves immense credit,” Wasserman continued. “They reminded the world why the Olympics are so cherished. It has been far too long since a vibrant global city had both the resources and the time to harness the full potential of the Olympics; they executed everything magnificently. Above all, they reignited the passion of the people in France, filling stadiums with ecstatic fans, leading to extraordinary results for the French teams.”
During the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics on August 11, the ever-charismatic Tom Cruise descended from the iron-tipped heights of the Stade de France after H.E.R. delivered a stirring rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
As cameras captured his graceful descent, Cruise floated down, a figure of audacious prowess, towards the athletes who had just competed in the XXXIII Olympiad. With a modest smile amidst the cheers, he walked through the proud assembly of competitors. He was handed the flag by Simone Biles and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a symbolic gesture signifying the transition from Paris to the forthcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“Thank you, Paris! Now off to LA,” Cruise expressed joyfully on social media.
In a cleverly edited pre-recorded segment, Cruise rode through town before ascending onto a plane that transported him to the majestic Hollywood sign, now adorned with the Olympic rings, echoing the spirit of unity and celebration.
Interestingly, historically, the Olympics have often spotlighted the rivalry amongst nations. However, through stunts and collaboration, they can also highlight the human spirit—the drive to push limits, and the joy of shared experiences, even in such a complex world. As the next chapter unfolds, it will be intriguing to see what heights Tom chose to reach in Los Angeles.
