When it comes to high-stakes action, Tom Cruise has redefined what it means to be an action star, particularly with his relentless pursuit of realism in the Mission: Impossible series. Enter Henry Cavill, best known for his role as Superman, who joined the cast in Mission: Impossible – Fallout, the sixth film in the series, and was shocked by the intensity that Cruise brought to the set.
Despite Cavill’s years of training and experience with intense stunts, working alongside Cruise took the actor to unprecedented levels of danger and excitement. Reflecting on the experience, Cavill remarked, “In Mission: Impossible, there’s a high likelihood of death on a number of occasions.” For Cavill, the physical challenges he faced in the role were unlike anything he had ever experienced, including his days on the rugby field.
Henry Cavill Compares Rugby and Mission: Impossible Stunts: “There’s Less Likelihood of Death in Rugby”
Cavill, a former rugby player, has often spoken about the physical rigor and rough-and-tumble nature of the sport. However, even that couldn’t prepare him for the intense demands of Mission: Impossible. On The Rich Eisen Show in 2018, Cavill shared his thoughts on the differences between rugby and American football, describing the two as distinct “contact sports” that require different strategies.
American football is more like chess, while rugby is like a battlefront; it’s nonstop moving, shifting, and changing.
Yet, when asked by Eisen if rugby was tougher than filming Mission: Impossible, Cavill didn’t hesitate to acknowledge the danger on set with Cruise. While rugby is tough, he said, it simply doesn’t compare to the life-threatening stunts in Mission: Impossible. Cavill noted, “It’s gotta be rugby… Then again, there’s less likelihood of death.”
Cavill’s Motorcycle Mishap and the Relentless Drive of Tom Cruise
A major draw of Mission: Impossible – Fallout was the extreme stunts that Cavill and Cruise performed, including a high-speed motorcycle chase. Interestingly, Cavill, despite his enthusiasm for action, didn’t have a motorcycle license at the time of filming. Recalling this oversight on Jimmy Kimmel Live, he shared his regret:
I was kicking myself at this point because about two or three years ago, I had not taken my [motorcycle] license… I thought, ‘I am 30-plus and I don’t want to be stupid.’ I didn’t realize I was going to use it for work ever.
Cavill’s revelation underscores just how unpredictable the demands of Hollywood can be, especially on a Mission: Impossible set, where high-octane stunts are the norm rather than the exception. Determined to rise to the challenge, he later obtained his motorcycle license, adding yet another skill to his already impressive action repertoire.
Tom Cruise’s Unbreakable Dedication: Overcoming Injury to Finish Fallout
For Tom Cruise, danger is simply part of the job. During the filming of Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Cruise suffered a serious ankle injury that temporarily halted production. In an almost surreal twist of fate, doctors warned Cruise that he might never run again, which would be a devastating blow for a star known for his intense, high-speed chase sequences.
Cavill marveled at Cruise’s resilience, sharing the details with a tone of admiration and disbelief. Doctors had told Cruise:
You won’t be able to use it or put weight on it properly until like six months from now… and you may never run again.
Yet, Cruise refused to let the injury deter him, pushing through with remarkable speed and resilience. Instead of slowing down, Cruise returned to the set as soon as possible, determined to complete the film and finish the sequence.
What’s Next? The Future of Mission: Impossible and Henry Cavill’s Action Legacy
The Mission: Impossible series shows no signs of slowing down. With the upcoming release of Mission: Impossible 8, scheduled for May 23, 2025, fans can expect more thrilling stunts, edge-of-your-seat action, and jaw-dropping sequences that define the franchise. For Henry Cavill, his experience on Mission: Impossible – Fallout has cemented his place among Hollywood’s most daring actors.
As Cavill continues to push boundaries in his roles, his time with Cruise will remain a pivotal chapter in his career.