‘We don’t take risks… obviously’: Tom Cruise’s latest ‘Mission: Impossible’ stunt just earned him a Guinness World Record

Tom Cruise has added another achievement to his impressive career by securing a Guinness World Record for his death-defying stunt in “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.” The actor, who has been portraying secret agent Ethan Hunt since 1996, performed the most burning parachute jumps by an individual in the film’s latest installment.

According to Hindustan Times, the record-breaking feat involved Cruise jumping from a helicopter 16 times while wearing a fuel-soaked parachute that was deliberately set on fire. The stunts were performed in Drakensberg, South Africa, where Cruise and his team spent weeks preparing for the dangerous sequence.

During the behind-the-scenes preparation, Cruise emphasized safety while discussing the stunt with his crew. “We’re gonna be real smart. I’m not saying be risky. We don’t take risks… obviously,” the actor stated, highlighting the careful planning behind these dangerous-looking sequences.

Multiple takes required extensive preparation and special equipment

The stunt required Cruise to ascend more than 75,000 feet in a helicopter before executing the jump with the flaming parachute. Each jump involved cutting himself free from the burning chute and deploying a backup parachute. In several takes, Cruise carried an additional 50-pound Snorri camera rig attached to his body to capture close-up shots of the fiery stunt.

Craig Glenday, Guinness World Records editor-in-chief, praised Cruise’s commitment to authenticity, stating that the actor doesn’t just play action heroes but is one himself. Glenday attributed Cruise’s success to his focus on authenticity and his continuous efforts to push the boundaries of what a leading man can accomplish in action films.

“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” directed by Christopher McQuarrie, serves as a continuation of the story from “Dead Reckoning,” where Hunt battles against an AI program called The Entity. The film features returning cast members Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Vanessa Kirby, and Hayley Atwell, among others.

The franchise welcomes several newcomers in this installment, including Hannah Waddingham from “Ted Lasso,” Nick Offerman, Lucy Tulugarjuk, Katy O’Brian, Tramell Tillman, and Stephen Oyoung. The film, which promises to be a dramatic conclusion to the long-running series, was released in theaters on May 23, marking the end of an era that spans eight movies.