Tom Cruise was awarded a Guinness World Record during the production of “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” by doing 16 burning parachute jumps while filming the climactic plane sequence. Yes, Cruise jumped to his potential death while his parachute caught fire 16 times during the making of the latest “Mission: Impossible” film. Paramount marked the record with a new behind-the-scenes video touting the wild aerial stunt (watch below).
“If this is twisted while it’s burning, I’m going to be spinning and burnt. I have to kick out of the twist and then ignite in 10 seconds,” Cruise is heard saying before making one of the jumps. “We’re going to be real smart. I’m not saying be risky. We don’t take risks, obviously.”
“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” was billed as Cruise’s final outing as Ethan Hunt, which would make the burning parachute jump his last stunt of the 29-year-old franchise. When asked in Cannes about his future with the franchise, Cruise remained coy about leaving “Mission: Impossible” for good.
“I’d rather just people see it and enjoy and we’ve had an amazing time doing it and it’s been a lot of fun and I just want you all to enjoy it,” the actor said. “Enjoy this and know everything is the culmination has come to this moment right now.”
“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” opened over Memorial Day Weekend and has grossed $360 million and counting at the worldwide box office. The film debuted to a huge $200 million, setting a franchise record for biggest “Mission: Impossible” opening yet.
“This weekend was one for the history books!” Cruise wrote in a message to fans after the film’s opening. “Congratulations and thank you to every filmmaker, every artist, every crew member and every single person who works at the studios. To every theater and every employee who helps bring these stories to audiences, thank you.”
“To everyone that works at Paramount Pictures and Skydance, thank you for your many years of partnership and unwavering support,” the actor continued. “And most of all, THANK YOU to audiences everywhere for whom we all serve and for whom we all LOVE to entertain. Sincerely, Tom.”
“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” is now playing in theaters around the world from Paramount. Watch the making of Cruise’s burning parachute jump in the video below.