Tom Cruise wing walking stunt inspired by TikTok video in Mission: Impossible Final Reckoning

Director Christopher McQuarrie shares how a TikTok video sparked Tom Cruise’s daring wing walking stunt

During a Cannes Masterclass, Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning director Christopher McQuarrie revealed how one of the film’s biggest stunts was inspired by an unexpected source: a TikTok video. While discussing the movie, McQuarrie shared that he casually showed the video to Tom Cruise, expecting a laugh. Instead, Cruise confidently declared, “I could do that!” This sparked the creation of the now-famous scene where Cruise performs wing walking on an airplane.

McQuarrie explained the back-and-forth process with Cruise, highlighting their collaborative approach. He said they began the film by discussing what each wanted to include — Cruise was eager to do wing walking, while McQuarrie had planned a submarine sequence. The director humorously noted how their ambitious ideas often challenge each other, with Cruise pushing boundaries and McQuarrie sometimes questioning the feasibility.

The stunt faced skepticism from professional wing walkers, many of whom doubted it could be achieved safely. However, the production team persevered, consulting with experts and designing the sequence to be both thrilling and realistic.

This daring stunt fits Cruise’s reputation for performing his own high-risk action scenes. Throughout the Mission: Impossible franchise, he has completed similarly dangerous feats, including hanging off the side of a commercial jet and extended underwater breath holds.

Early reactions to The Final Reckoning suggest the film offers fewer action scenes than previous installments, but the ones featured are impactful and memorable. McQuarrie’s insight into the wing walking stunt reassures fans that the movie delivers exciting moments worthy of the franchise’s legacy.