Tom Cruise Revives Hollywood During COVID-19

Tom Cruise recently shared insights about how old-school Hollywood tactics, including some playful phone tag, helped restart the production scene during the COVID-19 shutdowns.

In a chat on The Pat McCuffy Show, just before the release of the eighth film in the long-running Mission: Impossible series, titled Mission: Impossible – Final Calculation, Cruise opened up about his experiences.

“I really don’t say no to the answer,” he remarked, suggesting an open-minded approach to challenges.

When asked if he felt a burden on his shoulders regarding the film industry during the pandemic, he referred to how Hollywood went quiet in March 2020, with filming grinding to a halt until June. Cruise became a key figure in revitalizing the industry that summer.

“Yeah, I did it,” he confirmed. “It’s not just about the films I make. I’ve never felt competitive with anyone else in the industry. I’m more about wanting everyone to succeed.” It’s interesting how much that perspective shapes collaboration.

Crucially, during the shutdown, Cruise discussed with his lead producer the necessity of finding a way to start filming again. Once everyone agreed, he managed to pull off what could be seen as a Hollywood masterstroke.

Cruise picked up the phone, contacting the head of a studio and asking, “Are you guys filming?” To which he received a hesitating “No, we can’t. Everything is shut down.” He replied, “Well, we’re making our films,” which sparked surprise.

He helped motivate others to join in the production race. A week later, “They called back to ask how things were going,” he recounted, sharing that they were eager to begin filming. His excitement was palpable, noting, “It’s coming out next summer!”

Ultimately, if Cruise hadn’t successfully orchestrated those early filming efforts, he might not have finished Top Gun: Maverick or continued with Mission: Impossible sequels.

He also reached out to government officials and production companies to clarify safety protocols, which was, admittedly, a tricky task. It seems like a balancing act trying to appease everyone’s concerns.

Initially, setbacks were frequent; responses often included “No, you can’t do this.” However, after establishing necessary operational protocols, Cruise’s team secured a special government permit, leading to a resumption of filming in the UK by July 2020.

They began with outdoor scenes to elude the strict two-week quarantine rules for cast members flowing in and out. It’s almost intriguing to think about how such practical solutions emerged during such uncertain times.