Introduction
Tom Cruise is famous for performing jaw-dropping stunts in the Mission Impossible series. From scaling the Burj Khalifa to hanging off planes mid-air, Cruise has built a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most daring action stars. But in a recent interview, Simon Pegg—his long-time co-star—revealed that even Cruise gets nervous. Let’s take a look at the top 5 Mission Impossible stunts that tested even Tom Cruise’s nerves.
1. The Burj Khalifa Climb – Ghost Protocol
Climbing the world’s tallest building without a stunt double? That’s exactly what Cruise did in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. Strapped to the outside of the Burj Khalifa, he scaled over 1,700 feet with only wires and suction gloves. Pegg recalls Cruise being eerily calm—until the wind picked up. “There was a moment when he paused and said, ‘This is insane,’” Pegg said in an interview.
2. The HALO Jump – Fallout
The high altitude, low open (HALO) jump in Fallout required Cruise to jump from 25,000 feet at over 120 mph. The margin for error was razor-thin. According to Pegg, Cruise had to do it multiple times to get the shot right—and even he admitted to feeling nervous about the high-risk, low-oxygen environment.
3. Motorcycle Cliff Jump – Dead Reckoning Part One
This is the stunt Pegg specifically referred to as making Cruise visibly nervous. In Dead Reckoning, Cruise rides a motorcycle off a cliff and base jumps into a ravine. Pegg said, “That one really freaked him out… I saw him pacing before the take, which is rare for him.” Cruise trained for over a year to pull it off safely.
4. Hanging Off a Plane – Rogue Nation
Yes, Cruise really hung onto the side of an Airbus A400M as it took off. Shot over eight takes, the stunt was as real as it gets. Pegg revealed, “We were all biting our nails. One bird strike and it’s over.” Despite his usual confidence, Cruise reportedly requested additional safety checks before the first take.
5. Underwater Vault Scene – Rogue Nation
In this scene, Cruise holds his breath for over 6 minutes while filming underwater. He trained with professional divers and free divers, but even then, the anxiety of filming complex action sequences in one breath was intense. Pegg said, “He was pushing his body to the limit, and you could see the strain.”
Conclusion
Tom Cruise may seem invincible on screen, but even he has his limits. As Simon Pegg revealed, some of the most iconic Mission Impossible stunts made the legendary actor pause, question, and prepare more intensely than ever. These moments not only showcase Cruise’s dedication to realism but also highlight just how far he’s willing to go for his craft. Want more behind-the-scenes insights? Check out our exclusive feature on Dead Reckoning here.
