Tom Cruise Reveals ‘Brutal’ Injury from Death-Defying Mission: Impossible Stunt

In a shocking revelation from the new digital bonus features for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Tom Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie have disclosed the intense physical toll of the film’s climactic plane stunt. According to the commentary, Cruise’s dedication to performing his own stunts led to a severe injury that left his hands swollen and in “brutal” pain.

The star, known for his commitment to authenticity in filmmaking, shared that the sheer force of the stunt caused the joints in his fingers to separate. This latest injury adds another chapter to his legendary career of daredevil feats, proving once again why he remains one of Hollywood’s most dedicated action stars.

Behind the Scenes of the ‘Impossible’ Biplane Stunt

The dangerous scene in question takes place during the movie’s final act, where Tom Cruise’s character, Ethan Hunt, battles the villain Gabriel (played by Esai Morales) on the side of a biplane. As the aircraft spins out of control, Hunt is forced to cling to a seatbelt for his life as the plane flips upside down.

In the director’s commentary, McQuarrie described the brutal consequence: “This separated the joints in Tom’s fingers from the force, so by the time we finished this sequence, your hands were absolutely swollen — oh my God, it was so painful to watch.” Tom Cruise himself described the experience simply as “brutal” and added that another part of the stunt, where he slammed into the side of the plane, “almost broke my back.” The actor’s unwavering resolve is further highlighted by the fact that the hit into the plane’s side was an improvisation he decided on during the take.

A Career Built on Risk

The injury is a testament to Tom Cruise‘s decades-long history of performing his own jaw-dropping stunts. From scaling the Burj Khalifa in Ghost Protocol to hanging off the side of a cargo plane during takeoff in Rogue Nation, the actor has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible on film. His willingness to endure physical hardship for the sake of the audience has become a hallmark of the Mission: Impossible franchise.

The latest film, which follows Ethan Hunt and his team as they race against a powerful, rogue AI known as The Entity, was a box office success, grossing $596 million worldwide.

The Future of the Franchise

Despite Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning being promoted as the last installment, Tom Cruise has remained non-committal about his future as Ethan Hunt. When asked about his tenure with the franchise, he told a reporter, “I’d rather just people see it and enjoy and we’ve had an amazing time doing it and it’s been a lot of fun and I just want you all to enjoy it.”

For now, fans can enjoy the action from the comfort of their own homes. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is now available on all PVOD platforms, with a physical release on 4K Ultra HD, DVD, and Blu-ray set for October 14.