Tom Cruise rages against the “Mission: Impossible” crew for not following COVID security protocols

An audio recording of Tom Cruise yelling at crew members on the set of London’s latest “Mission: Impossible” movie has gone viral. The actor, who is also producing the movie, can be heard with expletives towards the crew for not following COVID-19 security protocols.

Sources close to production told Reuters and Variety that the audio, first obtained by The Sun, is authentic.

In the recording, which has been widely shared on social media, Cruise addresses two people he apparently saw standing too close to each other, in violation of social distance rules.

“If I see you do it again, you’re fucking gone,” says Cruise. The powerhouse-filled recording lasts three and a half minutes.

Rome Tom Cruise on the set of Mission Impossible 7
Actor Tom Cruise during a hiatus from filming on the set of “Mission: Impossible 7” in Rome, Italy, on November 29, 2020.

Samantha Zucchi / Insidefoto / Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images


“We are the gold standard,” he says. “They’re making movies in Hollywood again because of us. Because they believe in us and what we do. I’m on the phone at night with every goddamn studio, insurance companies, producers, and they watch us and use us to watch their movies. We’re creating thousands of jobs, motherfuckers. I never want to see it again.

COVID-19 is affecting many industries, and although film production is now allowed with security restrictions in many cities, it was initially suspended at the start of the pandemic.

“No apologies,” Cruise tells the crew. “You can tell the people who are losing their damn homes because our industry is closed. It won’t put food on their table or pay for their college education. I sleep with that every night – the future of this damn industry!”

He continues, “I told you, and now I want it, and if you don’t, you’re gone. We’re not closing this damn movie! Is it understood? If I see it again, you’re fucking gone. “

After a few minutes, Cruise’s anger gives way to a more pleading tone. He reiterates that crew members have a responsibility and that failure to follow protocols would lead to the movie being shut down, costing people their jobs.

It is unclear on which day the audio was recorded. On Wednesday, London moved to “Tier 3: Very High Alert,” meaning tighter restrictions, closing bars, pubs and restaurants, apart from taking out, closing theaters and banning indoor social gatherings.

According to Tier 3 guidelines, film and TV shooting can still continue, according to Film London. However, there is a checklist of protocols that productions should follow, including social distance, increased equipment cleaning, and minimizing attendance.

According to Reuters, production of the seventh “Mission: Impossible” was halted in February while filming in Italy. Filming resumed in September and moved to London in December. The film, from Paramount Pictures (a division of ViacomCBS), will premiere in November 2021.

CBS News has reached out to Paramount Pictures for comment and is awaiting a response.

.Source