Cruise told Jimmy Fallon why the (real!) airplane stunt from Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation gave him second thoughts while filming.
Tom Cruise made quite an entrance at the 2024 Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony.
How to Watch
Watch The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on NBC weeknights at 11:35/10:35c and next day on Peacock.The actor, known for his death-defying stunts, created an instantly-iconic moment when he repelled from the top of the Stade de France to grab the flag from Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Cruise then climbed onto the back of a motorcycle and sped through the streets of Paris, straight to a runway where he boarded a giant plane headed to L.A. — the host city for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Once the plane made it to the U.S., Cruise parachuted out of it to land in the hills above L.A. He then transformed the iconic Hollywood sign to include the Olympic rings — intiating the official Summer Games handoff from the City of Lights to the City of Angels.
Tom Cruise told Jimmy Fallon about filming the (real) Rogue Nation airplane stunt
Photo: Douglas Gorenstein/NBC
Anyone who’s seen a Mission: Impossible movie knows Cruise loves to wow audiences with a stunt spectacle.
When the actor who plays spy Ethan Hunt in the long-running franchise appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in July 2015, Jimmy Fallon — who happened to co-host the 2024 Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony — asked him about a stunt from the Rogue Nation installment that had him hanging off the side of an airplane. And yes, he really did that.
“If you don’t know the story, there’s a giant cargo plane… major plane. First, I’m afraid of the plane. I wouldn’t even go on the plane. You’re hanging off the side of it… and it takes off,” Fallon continued, as he set up the stunt for the audience.
“They strap me on the side of the plane beforehand, and then they start the engines. Then we taxi and then I go down the runway,” recalled Cruise, who said he told the plane’s pilot that for the angle of attack he wanted to make sure his legs were hitting the fuselage.
“He was just kind of smiling at me the whole time. He said that won’t be a problem,” Cruise told Fallon. “Then the first take, we’re going down the runway and it was everything to keep my feet onto the steps because I was almost slapped against the fusilage, going down the runway we were going so fast,” explained Cruise.
“It was a little intense,” Cruise continued. “There’s that moment I’m there going, ‘Oh, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. It’s too late now! I can’t tell everyone, I have the whole crew on the plane.'”
“You don’t have to do that,” Fallon informed Cruise during their chat. “You can put a dummy on, like a mannequin, and then you just have a wide shot!”
“I’m so happy I’m a late night TV talk show host. I’m so happy. I love my desk, I love my job so much,” Fallon joked, as he kissed his desk and microphone.
“I just want to entertain y’all,” Cruise told the audience. And he certainly did at the Closing Ceremony.
News
Countdown Begins! ‘The Voice’ Season 26 Drops Soon – Find Out When Here!
Season 26 of The Voice is just around the corner, and here’s when you can expect to watch it yourself. It’s almost time for the curtain call for The Voice season 26 on NBC. Hosted by Carson Daly and featuring…
Gwen Stefani’s Hilarious ‘Fan-Girling’ Over Snoop Dogg on ‘The Voice’ – See the Hottest Reaction Yet!
After premiering on NBC in 2011, The Voice wrapped up its 25th season in May 2024. Asher HaVon took home the crown, giving coach Reba McEntire her first-ever victory. In just one week (Sunday, Sept. 23), Reba will return to defend her title….
Gwen Stefani’s Shocking Warning About Blake Shelton’s Hunting Hobby – What’s Behind Her Fears?
Blake Shelton’s hobby not an easy thing for Gwen Stefani to handle, claims source Gwen Stefani has recently expressed her concerns over Blake Shelton’s hunting hobby. A source spilled to Life & Style magazine, “They agreed to disagree about his hunting…
Is Gwen Stefani Still the Queen of Pop?
Gwen Stefani just gave fans a sneak peek of her new music on social media, and fans are over the moon. Stefani, who has been teasing her fans about new music all week on her Instagram, posted a Reel on Wednesday, September 11,…
Ayo Edebiri ‘Absolutely Freaked Out’ Meeting Reba McEntire at the 2024 Emmys – You Have to See Her Reaction!
‘Totally real and valid reaction to meeting Reba because same,’ says fan Ayo Edebiri fangirls over Reba McEntire at the 2024 Emmys (Getty Images) While walking the red carpet at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, which took place on Sunday at the Peacock Theater in Los…
Reba McEntire and Melissa Peterman Reunite at the Emmys 2024 – Tease Exciting New Show Together!
Together again! Former “Reba” co-stars Reba McEntire and Melissa Peterman reunited on the Emmys 2024 red carpet at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles Sunday night. The pair spoke to E! News’ Laverne Cox and teased their dynamic in their upcoming NBC sitcom…
End of content
No more pages to load