Unscripted stunt in iconic Mission: Impossible scene revealed; Tom Cruise's behind-the-scenes account is astounding
In the world of action-packed blockbusters, the Mission: Impossible franchise has always been a standout. One of the key figures behind this success is director and screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie.
Although McQuarrie was not the director or writer for Ghost Protocol, he played a pivotal role in the movie. During production, Tom Cruise, who was struggling with a challenging scene - the Burj Khalifa scene, where he was expected to climb the building wearing only a pair of gloves - called upon McQuarrie to help.
The Burj Khalifa scene was not fully scripted when Ghost Protocol went into production. In a stroke of genius, McQuarrie improvised the scene on the fly, providing crucial story support without an official greenlight beforehand. Arriving on set during filming, he quickly devised the scene's framework, solving complex story challenges that had stumped the crew.
Fast forward to the subsequent Mission: Impossible movies, and McQuarrie took on a much larger creative role. He directed and wrote the sequel to Ghost Protocol, titled Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, and continued through later installments, including The Final Reckoning.
McQuarrie's work on the Mission: Impossible movies extends beyond just directing. He has worked on punch up scripts for other movies, including World War Z, Edge of Tomorrow, and Top Gun: Maverick. His contributions to the franchise have been significant, shaping its direction and stunt spectacles.
One of his most memorable creations is the Vienna Opera House scene in Rogue Nation. The elaborate stunts and storytelling have become a hallmark of the franchise, and McQuarrie oversaw these elements with precision. His work on the Burj Khalifa scene in Ghost Protocol also helped make it feel massive on the big screen, a standout for many viewers.
The partnership between Cruise and McQuarrie continues to be successful. In The Final Reckoning, scheduled for a 2025 release and the final movie in the Mission: Impossible franchise, McQuarrie directs once again. Cruise sometimes pushes McQuarrie to make changes to the movies, but the result is always a thrilling ride.
Ethan Hunt, the franchise's protagonist, gets a mostly happy ending in the latest Mission: Impossible movie. The Final Reckoning is well-reviewed, and Tom Cruise himself has confirmed that it marks the final outing in the Mission: Impossible franchise as a whole.
[1] Source: https://www.thewrap.com/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol-christopher-mcquarrie-improvised-burj-khalifa-scene/ [2] Source: https://www.slashfilm.com/mission-impossible-rogue-nation-christopher-mcquarrie-interview/ [3] Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mission-impossible-rogue-nation-christopher-mcquarrie-1060817
In addition to his work on the Mission: Impossible franchise, Christopher McQuarrie has also contributed to the scriptwriting of various movies, such as 'World War Z' and 'Top Gun: Maverick', creating an impressive 'daily blend' of action-packed blockbusters and thoughtful storytelling.
Apart from movies-and-tv, McQuarrie's entertainment portfolio includes his work on the Vienna Opera House scene in Rogue Nation and the Burj Khalifa scene in Ghost Protocol, both of which showcase his knack for grand, intricate stunts.
