Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning marks a significant chapter as it reportedly concludes Tom Cruise’s iconic journey within this thrilling franchise. However, this is not the last we will see of Cruise pushing boundaries in the action genre. He has signed on to collaborate with director Doug Liman on a groundbreaking project that aims to create the first Hollywood movie filmed in outer space. This venture has generated considerable buzz, fueled further by Universal’s recent announcement confirming the project’s advancement.
The exact details regarding the extent of filming in space remain under discussion. Speculation suggests that the crew may even capture some scenes aboard the International Space Station, opening an unprecedented avenue for blockbuster filmmaking. However, Cruise’s long-term collaborator Christopher McQuarrie has voiced skepticism about the practicality of these ambitious plans.
Audiences Will Expect Practical Stunts in Cruise’s Space Movie
Cruise’s Legacy of Stunt Work
Given Tom Cruise’s well-established reputation as a performer who undertakes his own stunts, audiences will likely anticipate a significant number of practical effects in his upcoming space film. The stunts featured in the Mission: Impossible series have continually fueled discussions and have contributed to Cruise’s image as a dedicated action star, often placing his safety on the line for maximum entertainment impact. There is every reason to believe this approach will be maintained in his forthcoming extraterrestrial project.
Having previously collaborated with Liman on projects such as Edge of Tomorrow and American Made, both of which showcased stunning stunts, it is expected that Liman will continue to embrace practical effects over a heavy reliance on visual effects (VFX) in this new endeavor. Yet, the daunting task of executing these stunts in space presents a formidable challenge.
McQuarrie on Challenges of Filming in Space
Understanding the Zero-Gravity Challenge
In a recent interview with Collider, Christopher McQuarrie, a four-time Mission: Impossible director, emphasized the complexities of shooting in the unique zero-gravity environment of the International Space Station (ISS). He elaborated that creating traditional stunts under these conditions would require a complete re-evaluation of how the franchise approaches action sequences. As he noted, “shooting in Zero-G would be a complete rethink of how to make Mission: Impossible,” highlighting the integral role that gravity plays in the franchise’s formidable stunt sequences.
Iconic stunts, like ascending the Burj Khalifa in Ghost Protocol or performing a mid-air motorcycle dismount in Dead Reckoning, are reflections of meticulous planning and gravity’s influence on the performance. McQuarrie rightfully asserts that many of these influential sequences would be rendered impossible without gravity, which ensures the safety and success of each stunt. Without this crucial element, the margin for error would expand significantly.
Proposed Solutions for the Zero-Gravity Dilemma
Striking a Balance Between VFX and Practical Effects
To navigate these challenges, Cruise and Liman may need to adopt a hybrid filmmaking approach, merging visual effects with practical stunt work to create a convincing portrayal of zero-gravity. Stunts could potentially be filmed on Earth, utilizing methods such as high-speed aircraft or skydiving techniques to simulate the effects of weightlessness, subsequently enhanced with VFX to achieve a more authentic appearance on screen.
In addition, Cruise is also developing an underwater horror film, which presents a separate set of filming difficulties. Although such challenges have been managed successfully in previous Mission: Impossible movies, there’s no doubt that Cruise’s commitment to tackling these obstacles will position both projects as major talking points in cinematic circles, pushing the envelope in visual effects and stunt execution.
Source: Collider