Tom Cruise Lost It On The Set Of Mission Impossible. Here's Why

Tom Cruise has made it clear that completing filming for the Christopher McQuarrie-directed Mission: Impossible 7 under COVID-19 protocols is very possible — so long as crew members follow health guidelines.  

According to audio first published by The Sun and later confirmed by Variety, Cruise unleashed his frustration onset after seeing the crew break COVID protocols. The recording was several minutes long and captured the star and producer shouting profanities as he demanded workers abide by the social distancing restrictions. The outburst reportedly followed Cruise witnessing two people on the film's crew standing within six feet of each other in front of a computer monitor, prompting the actor to single out individuals as he shouts, "If I see you do it again, you're f—ing gone. And if anyone in this crew does it, that's it — and you too and you too. And you, don't you ever f—ing do it again."

At one point, Cruise scolds the team for getting too comfortable with the bubble environment on set. Referencing the thousands of other entertainment workers who are currently out of jobs, the actor got blunt about his unwillingness to accept excuses over seemingly small slip-ups.

"You can tell it to the people who are losing their f—ing homes because our industry is shut down. It's not going to put food on their table or pay for their college education. That's what I sleep with every night – the future of this f—ing industry!" Cruise said. "So I'm sorry, I am beyond your apologies. I have told you, and now I want it, and if you don't do it, you're out. We are not shutting this f—ing movie down! Is it understood? If I see it again, you're f—ing gone."

There were reportedly 50 people on set when Cruise began loudly reprimanding the film's crew, all of whom, according to The Sun, were stunned by his conduct.

WIthin his outburst, the actor actually explains why he's unflinchingly firm about the crew and cast following health protocols. As Hollywood studios look for ways to carry out big-budget productions like Mission: Impossible 7 safely, surprise COVID cases and ballooning budgets due to COVID-related production insurance are creating a crisis in Hollywood. Many films are buckling under an inability to cover higher insurance costs, reports Variety, and those that can afford it are facing increased pressure on set. 

"We are the gold standard. They're back there in Hollywood making movies right now because of us. Because they believe in us and what we're doing," Cruise shouted. "I'm on the phone with every f—ing studio at night, insurance companies, producers and they're looking at us and using us to make their movies. We are creating thousands of jobs, you motherf—ers. I don't ever want to see it again. Ever!"

At another point, Cruise asked the crew if they "understood," making clear that if they couldn't abide by protocols, they would be let go. "Am I clear? Do you understand what I want? Do you understand the responsibility that I have? Because I will deal with your reason, and if you can't be reasonable and I can't deal with your logic, you're fired," Cruise said. "That's it. That is it. I trust you guys to be here."

Cruise's response in Britain is likely due in part to the production shutdown that had occured two weeks earlier after 12 crew members tested positive while shooting in Italy. That event resulted in 150 extras being told they were no longer needed to film scenes in Venice so that health officials could properly contract trace. Upon the production's return, The Sun reports that the Top Gun star personally paid upwards of $675,000 for an old cruise ship the cast and crew have isolated on.

Prior to COVID, the film had faced other production slowdowns due to stunts gone bad, but it seems Cruise won't accept any more delays.