See Tom Cruise defy death in exclusive 'Mission: Impossible' deleted scene
But editing is important to the filmmaking process, and director Christopher McQuarrie had hard decisions to make in crafting "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning" (available to buy Aug. 19 on digital platforms).
One of the biggest moments in the action adventure is a dizzying sequence involving Cruise's superspy Ethan Hunt and a harrowing biplane chase, and USA TODAY is exclusively premiering a nifty aerial scene deleted from the film.
Near the end of this eighth "Mission" installment, Ethan is in airborne pursuit of villainous Gabriel (Esai Morales), and has to navigate – in death-defying manner – going from his biplane to Gabriel's mid-air. McQuarrie filmed 400 hours of footage that ended up being distilled down to a mere 15 minutes.
Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox
"Each one of these shots represents a great deal of difficulty, a lot of danger, a lot of coordination between multiple aircraft, a lot of skill from the pilots, and always looking for ways to show that is Tom flying the plane and not a stuntman – which is not usually the case," McQuarrie says in a voiceover introducing the nixed sequence.
It's the first of a two-part stunt where Ethan tries to climb onto Gabriel's plane, our hero's foot hits the control stick, and the plane goes into a nasty roll where Ethan is hanging out of the thing precariously before getting his bearings back.
McQuarrie's film editor, Eddie Hamilton, kept telling him it was "redundant," though the director "of course resisted that," McQuarrie says. But "it could go and so it went."
In addition to an array of deleted scenes, the "Final Reckoning" digital release includes a bunch of bonus features that dig into Cruise's stunt work, including notching a Guinness World Record for most burning parachute jumps by an individual.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
15 minutes ago
- Forbes
‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning' New On Streaming This Week
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, starring Tom Cruise in what may be his final Mission: Impossible movie, is new on digital streaming this week. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning opened in theaters on May 23. The film, which continues the events of 2023's Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, finds Ethan Hunt (Cruise) as a rogue Impossible Mission Force agent. President Erika Sloane, however, convinces Ethan to return to stop a self-aware artificial intelligence program called The Entity before the AI takes control of all the world's nuclear arsenals and causes nuclear Armageddon. Rated PG-13, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning also stars Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Greg Tarzan Davis, Pom Klementieff, Hannah Waddingham, Janet McTeer, Nick Offerman, Shea Whigham, Trammell Tillman, Henry Czerny, Holt McCallany and Esai Morales. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning will arrive on digital streaming via premium video on demand on Tuesday, Aug. 19, according to Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment. The film will be available to purchase or rent on PVOD on a variety of digital platforms, including Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Prime Video and YouTube. Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning is available for pre-order for $19.99, which is also the film's digital purchase price. Since PVOD rentals are generally $5 less than purchase prices, viewers can expect to rent the film for $14.99. 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning' Includes Bonus Features On Digital According to Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning will include bonus features for customers who purchase a digital copy of the film. The bonus features, PPHE noted, include five production featurettes, as well as optional commentary by Christopher McQuarrie for a Deleted Footage Montage and the Olifants River Canyon scene, as well as optional commentary by McQuarrie and Tom Cruise for the film's dangerous Biplane Transfer scene. The digitally purchased copy will also include additional commentary tracks by McQuarrie and Cruise; McQuarrie, editor Eddie Hamilton and first assistant director Mary Boulding, composers Max Aruj and Alfie Godfrey, and score producer Cécile Tournesac. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning has earned $194.7 million domestically and $397.9 million internationally for a worldwide box office tally of $595.3 million against a $400 million budget before prints and advertising costs, according to The Numbers. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which is still playing in theaters, will be available on PVOD on Tuesday.
USA Today
4 hours ago
- USA Today
Tristan Rogers, who played Robert Scorpio on 'General Hospital,' dies at 79
The soap star, who also played Hunter Jones on "The Bold and the Beautiful," had revealed his cancer diagnosis in July. Tristan Rogers, best known for his longtime role as Robert Scorpio on "General Hospital," has died. He was 79. Rogers' longtime manager, Meryl Soodak, confirmed the soap star's "unfortunate passing" to USA TODAY on Aug. 15. Soodak also told Los Angeles' ABC7 that Rogers was battling lung cancer at the time of his death. Playing Scorpio "meant everything to him," Soodak told ABC7. In a statement shared with USA TODAY, the ABC show's executive producer, Frank Valentini, said that "the entire General Hospital family is heartbroken to hear of Tristan Rogers' passing." "Tristan has captivated our fans for 45 years and Port Charles will not be the same without him (or Robert Scorpio)," Valentini continued. "I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends during this difficult time. Tristan was a one-of-a-kind talent and will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace." Rogers' 55-year career on screen also included roles as Colin Atkinson on "The Young and the Restless," Hunter Jones on "The Bold and the Beautiful" and Lex Martin on "The Bay." "The Bay," which streams on Amazon Prime and Tubi, shared a statement acknowledging "the profound loss of a beloved member of our cast, Mr. Tristan Rogers (aka Commissioner Lex Martin)." "His immense talents and spirit touched us all and he will be deeply missed," the tribute said. "His legacy lives on through his incredible work. Blessings to Tristan's family and loved ones during this difficult time. Let us honor his memory and the joy he brought to all of our lives." Cancer diagnosis was 'a challenging time' for Tristan Rogers and his family The news comes a month after the soap star shared with fans in a July 17 news release that he had been diagnosed with cancer. "While he remains hopeful and is working closely with his medical team on a treatment plan, this is a challenging time for Tristan and his family," the release said. "As they face both the emotional and physical burdens that come with this diagnosis, the family kindly asks for privacy and understanding." The release said that Rogers "sends love to his fans" and that their support "means more to him now than ever." Rogers is survived by his wife of 30 years, Teresa Parkerson, and their two adult children, daughter Sara and son Cale. Rogers' path to becoming a daytime staple Rogers, who was born in Melbourne, Australia, cut his teeth as a soap actor in the 1970s with roles on the Australian TV series "Number 96," "The Box" and "Bellbird." The budding actor traded the Down Under for the fictional town of Port Charles, New York, when he joined the cast of "General Hospital" in December 1980, playing super spy Scorpio. Rogers went on to enjoy a 12-year stint on the long-running drama before departing the series in 1992. He was nominated for two Soap Opera Digest Awards during his initial "GH" tenure, including a 1986 nod for outstanding daytime actor in a leading role. After a nearly 15-year hiatus, Rogers returned to the show in 2006 for a series of recurring appearances, followed by additional guest performances in 2008, 2012-2016 and 2018-2024. In total, the fan-favorite actor has appeared on over 1,400 episodes of "General Hospital," according to Rogers' IMDb page. Rogers also appeared on several episodes of the "General Hospital" spinoff "General Hospital: Night Shift" in 2008.
USA Today
10 hours ago
- USA Today
Tristan Rogers, who played Robert Scorpio on 'General Hospital,' dies at 79: Reports
Rogers' longtime manager, Meryl Soodak, told multiple news media outlets that Rogers died from lung cancer. The actor shared his diagnosis with the public in July. Tristan Rogers, best known for his longtime role as Robert Scorpio on "General Hospital," has died, according to multiple media reports. He was 79. Rogers died from lung cancer, his longtime manager Meryl Soodak told ABC7 and The Hollywood Reporter. USA TODAY has reached out to Soodak. The news comes a month after the soap star shared with fans in a July 17 news release that he had been diagnosed with cancer. "While he remains hopeful and is working closely with his medical team on a treatment plan, this is a challenging time for Tristan and his family," the statement read. "As they face both the emotional and physical burdens that come with this diagnosis, the family kindly asks for privacy and understanding." The release said that Rogers "sends love to his fans" and that their support "means more to him now than ever." Rogers is survived by his wife of 30 years, Teresa Parkerson, and their two adult children, daughter Sara and son Cale. Rogers' path to becoming a daytime staple Rogers, who was born in Melbourne, Australia, cut his teeth as a soap actor in the 1970s with roles on the Australian TV series "Number 96," "The Box" and "Bellbird." The budding actor traded the Down Under for the fictional town of Port Charles, New York, when he joined the cast of "General Hospital" in December 1980, playing super spy Scorpio. Rogers went on to enjoy a 12-year stint on the long-running drama before departing the series in 1992. He was nominated for two Soap Opera Digest Awards during his initial "GH" tenure, including a 1986 nod for outstanding daytime actor in a leading role. After a nearly 15-year hiatus, Rogers returned to the show in 2006 for a series of recurring appearances, followed by additional guest performances in 2008, 2012-2016 and 2018-2024. In total, the fan-favorite actor has appeared on over 1,400 episodes of "General Hospital," according to Rogers' IMDb page. Rogers also appeared on several episodes of the "General Hospital" spinoff "General Hospital: Night Shift" in 2008.
