Tom Cruise made a surprise appearance at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday, offering fans a sneak peek into the high-octane stunts in Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning. During a fireside chat with TikTok creator Reece Feldman, Cruise teased the film’s most daring sequence, including a “never been done” wing-walking stunt that promises to take audiences on the edge of their seats.
Tom Cruise Details Mission: Impossible 8 Aerial Stunts
Cruise shared insights into the movie’s thrilling aerial sequence, where his character performs an extreme wing-walking stunt. The actor, who has decades of experience as an aerobatic pilot, explained how he personally selected the plane for the stunt and worked closely with engineers to push the aircraft to its limits.
“I’m an aerobatic pilot, so I now choose the airplane and present it — what colors should they be, what engineers do I have building this aircraft and working on the engines, and how far can I push that aircraft?” Cruise said.
As for the wing-walking itself, Cruise revealed that the stunt goes beyond the usual limitations, with plans to walk between the wings in zero-gravity conditions. The logistical challenges are significant, with the actor pushing the plane into an inverted position, all while ensuring safety despite the engine’s vulnerability during extreme maneuvers.
“The amount of air force that’s coming over that wing… it was violent. It was so violent on that airplane,” Cruise recalled, describing the intense physical strain of the stunt.
Wing-Walking and Zero-G: A Groundbreaking Stunt
What sets this wing-walking stunt apart is its level of extremity. Cruise explained that while most wing-walking is done under controlled conditions, his sequence is intended to be one of the most extreme stunts ever performed on screen. “I’m just approaching it step by step,” he said, highlighting the methodical approach required for such a complex stunt.
Cruise also trained an incredible team of pilots to fly the plane with him on the wing, further adding to the dangerous nature of the sequence. The actor’s dedication to realism is part of what makes his stunts so iconic, and this wing-walking sequence is expected to be one of the most memorable moments in Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning.
Cannes Film Festival Appearance and Mission: Impossible 8 Premiere
After the fireside chat, Cruise participated in a meet-and-greet with TikTok creators, taking photos and sharing his passion for filmmaking. His appearance at Cannes is part of the promotional campaign for Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, which debuts out of competition at the festival on May 14, 2025.
Cruise has been making the press rounds ahead of the film’s premiere, including a talk at the British Film Institute in London where he reflected on his career and the key roles that made him a global movie star. The much-anticipated Mission: Impossible sequel will hit theaters worldwide on May 23, 2025.
