Hayley Atwell, the star of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, recently shared her experiences filming challenging stunts in the highly anticipated action-thriller and how Tom Cruise provided support during the shoot. Atwell, known for her role in Black Mirror, discussed a white-knuckle car chase scene she filmed under the direction of Christopher McQuarrie, highlighting Cruise’s role in the process.
Portraying the role of a skilled criminal Grace in the franchise, Atwell opened up on the thrilling aspects of the movie. She admitted that sitting in the passenger seat was certainly the easiest of the two, but driving was probably the most fulfilling because of how challenging she found it.
Hayley Atwell discussed her most stressful day on set
Recalling one of the most stressful days on set, Hayley Atwell described a scene where she races past the Wedding Cake monument, emphasizing the high stakes of avoiding any damage to buildings or people. Atwell expressed the difficulty of the task, saying,
“To not be able to see properly, drifting, being in Rome handcuffed to a man in a passenger seat where he doesn’t particularly like to be, while I’m trying to work out what he’s communicating to me was like firing on all cylinders and having to be super-awake.”
However, while talking about the shoot, the actress also praised Tom Cruise’s cautious approach to filming the signature and near-impossible stunts, referring to him as the ‘health-and-safety guy.’
Hayley Atwell revealed how Tom Cruise was her personal safety guard on the sets
Hayley Atwell revealed that before each car scene, Tom Cruise would verbally acknowledge all the dangerous spots they could identify, ensuring their safety during the shoot. She said, “Every time we got into a car, he’d go, ‘Look, let’s say out loud all the dangerous spots we can see.”
Moreover, Atwell further added that they aimed to reach a “sweet spot” where they were both energized and in the moment while performing the stunts, “that sweet spot where we are adrenalized as we’re doing it.”
Reflecting on the lessons she learned from working alongside the Hollywood superstar, Atwell mentioned the importance of being a perpetual student. She explained that this mindset prevented her from taking anything for granted or assuming mastery over a skill.
The highly anticipated film Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, starring Hayley Atwell and Tom Cruise, was released on July 12, 2023. The initial reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, adding to the excitement surrounding the latest installment in the popular franchise.
Source: USA Today
