Tom Cruise goes into a two and a half minute rant on the set of Mission: Impossible 7 after catching crew members breaking coronavirus protocol. The film is still in production despite the global health crisis, and so far, they've been able to handle it as well as anybody could, given the circumstances.
Aside from Cruise, who returns as Ethan Hunt and as a producer for Mission: Impossible 7, director Christopher McQuarrie is also back to the spy-thriller franchise for the third time since joining it in 2015 via Mission: Impossible- Rogue Nation. Cast members Rebecca Ferguson (Ilsa Faust), Ving Rhames (Luther), Simon Pegg (Benji), and Vanessa Kirby (White Widow) also reprise their roles with additional actors including Hayley Atwell, Esai Morales, Shea Whigham, and Pom Klementieff in currently undisclosed roles. Mission: Impossible 7 was tipped to begin filming in February 2020, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, it has suffered a series of stops and starts. Most recently, it went on a hiatus again in October after 12 people tested positive for the virus, but work resumed just a week later on, and Cruise is determined to make sure that it will no longer be suspended.
That's why when he spotted crew members not physically distancing, the actor went on a furious rant about why it's very important that everyone adheres to health protocols. In the audio acquired by The Sun, the actor threatens to fire those personnel and anyone else who won't take the matter seriously. To explain why he's so frustrated about it, he revealed that Hollywood is looking at them as an example of how to continue productions amidst the pandemic. Read the full transcript of his mad speech below:
"We want the gold standard. They’re back there in Hollywood making movies right now because of us! Because they believe in us and what we’re doing! I’m on the phone with every f***ing studio at night, insurance companies, producers, and they’re looking at us and using us to make their movies. We are creating thousands of jobs you motherf***ers. I don’t ever want to see it again, ever! And if you don’t do it you’re fired, if I see you do it again you’re f***ing gone. And if anyone on this crew does it - that’s it, and you too and you too. And you, don’t you ever f***ing do it again. That’s it! No apologies. You can tell it to the people that are losing their f***ing homes because our industry is shut down. It’s not going to put food on their table or pay for their college education. That’s what I sleep with every night. The future of this f***ing industry! So I’m sorry I am beyond your apologies. I have told you and now I want it and if you don’t do it you’re out. We are not shutting this f***ing movie down!
Is it understood? If I see it again you’re f***ing gone — and so are you — so you’re going to cost him his job, if I see it on the set you’re gone and you’re gone. That’s it. Am I clear? Do you understand what I want? Do you understand the responsibility that you have? Because I will deal with your reason. And if you can’t be reasonable and I can’t deal with your logic, you’re fired. That’s it. That is it. I trust you guys to be here. That’s it. That’s it guys. Have a little think about it. . .[inaudible]. That’s what I think of Universal and Paramount. Warner Brothers. Movies are going because of us. If we shut down it’s going to cost people f***ing jobs, their home, their family. That’s what’s happening. All the way down the line. And I care about you guys, but if you’re not going to help me you’re gone. OK? Do you see that stick? How many metres is that? When people are standing around a f***ing computer and hanging out around here, what are you doing? And if they don’t comply then send their names to Matt Spooner. That’s it."
The actor started his rant really, really mad, but over time, he calmed down as he continued to explain the importance of each and everyone's cooperation to ensure the safety of everyone involved during Mission: Impossible 7's shoot. Cruise makes a strong argument for his outburst as he isn't only concerned about his own film, but the status of the industry in general. Since the coronavirus outbreak began earlier this year, Hollywood was forced into a standstill with all production shutting down either because of infected cast and crew members or for safety precautions. This has obviously lost studios money, forcing lay-offs; that also has a ripple effect on cinemas which have been struggling to stay in business with no incoming revenue. This is the reason why Warner Bros.' decision for their full 2021 release to have a hybrid theatrical and streaming release on HBO Max is so controversial.
Marvel Studios' Shang-Chi & the Legend of the Ten Rings wrapped up its production in Australia with an impressive no single positive coronavirus infection. That said, there are other factors that contributed to their success other than everyone's cooperation, which includes the country's effective handling of the pandemic. It's worth noting that Mission: Impossible 7 has been moving around Europe, shooting on location, which makes them more susceptible to contracting the deadly virus, so it's somehow understandable that Cruise was frustratingly mad at his co-workers.
Source: The Sun
