New Mission: Impossible image shows Tom Cruise at his death-defying best

Mission: Impossible director Christopher McQuarrie has shared a death-defying image from a Tom Cruise stunt to celebrate the actor’s 60th birthday.

"Happy 60th birthday, Tom," McQuarrie, who is directing the next two Mission: Impossible movies, tweeted. The accompanying image is a little less matter-of-fact: it showcases Cruise hanging upside down and holding on to a biplane for dear life. His Top Gun: Maverick co-star Glen Powell also tweeted, "This is 60. TC, there is just no one like you. Keep hangin’ in there. Happy Birthday!"

That image is likely part of 2024’s Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning – Part Two, the follow-up to 2023’s Part One. Cruise was previously seen rehearsing a similar-looking stunt for the movie, which is set to bring the Mission: Impossible franchise to a close. At first glance, this ranks right up there with some of Cruise’s biggest, most daring stunts.

The first trailer for Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One was released in May, with an early leaked cut of the teaser being called "epic" and "phenomenal" by fans – something that was backed up by the finished product.

Even at 60, things aren't slowing down for the actor. Cruise’s latest release, Top Gun: Maverick, has flown past the $1 billion mark at the box office, making it comfortably his best-performing movie of all time. After the next two Mission: Impossible movies, Cruise is also planning to film in outer space with director Doug Liman. 

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