Hollywood Stunt Coordinator Explains Tom Cruise Doesn't Get Enough Credit For His Insane Stunt Work

Tom Cruise stands as a larger-than-life figure in Hollywood, not just for his star power but for his extraordinary dedication to performing his own insane stunts in the films that he makes. While what he does is crazy impressive, there’s one stunt coordinator who believes Cruise’s stunt work often goes underappreciated as he has to blend his acting with the stunt work he has to effectively perform.

Wade Eastwood, the stunt coordinator for Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One, recently shed light on Cruise's incredible skills in an interview with the Motion Picture Association. Eastwood's insights reveal a side of Cruise that is often overshadowed by the sheer spectacle of his stunts.

You see, what sets Cruise apart isn't just the death-defying nature of his stunts, but his ability to perform them while fully embodying his character, Ethan Hunt. Eastwood explained:

“I’m drifting a car or flying a helicopter, I’m doing it. But when Tom does it, he has to do it as Ethan while watching out for bogeys or what might go wrong. So, he can’t necessarily look where I would because he’s also got to find the lens and the light, playing to different emotions than what he might be feeling while drifting a car through a narrow street, hitting a wall, or bouncing off a car. To do it at that level requires unbelievable skill.”

I never really thought of that before, but damn… that certainly does take Cruise’s skills and talents as a performer to another level. He has to be in character the whole time when he’s attempting to pull these stunts that he could die doing!

Consider the scene from Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, where Cruise is strapped to a plane. It's not just the physical act of performing this dangerous stunt that's impressive. Cruise simultaneously had to be his character Ethan Hunt, conveying the right emotions, all while being airborne and in danger. This multi-layered performance showcases not just his physical bravery but also his extraordinary mental fortitude.

Cruise doesn't just perform stunts, he immerses himself in them, ensuring that every move, every leap, and every daring flight is in service of the character and the story. Cruise's commitment to real, visceral action is pretty awe-inspiring. His work always manages to thrill, engage, and amaze audiences in the most genuine of ways.