Tom Cruise Nearly Went Blind Filming ‘Final Reckoning’ Underwater Scene — You Won’t Believe What He Wore!
Tom Cruise Nearly Went Blind Filming ‘Final Reckoning’ Underwater Scene — You Won’t Believe What He Wore!
Tom Cruise is no stranger to pushing cinematic boundaries, but his latest revelation about Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning demonstrates just how far he’ll go for authenticity. In a recent appearance on “The Tonight Show,” the action superstar broke down the extreme challenges behind the film’s much-anticipated submarine infiltration sequence—one of the most physically demanding stunts of his decades-long career.
Cruise described filming the scene as a “blind” ordeal. “A lot of times I cannot see because of the reflection of the light,” Cruise explained. The intense underwater lighting, needed for camera clarity, bounced off every surface and rendered him virtually sightless as he maneuvered through the murky depths. “So, I would go in, kind of blind, spend a lot of time on the set figuring out [the movement] as we’re figuring out the shots. Then, when I’m doing it, I have a hard time.”
If performing such a complex sequence without vision wasn’t enough, Cruise took it to another level by donning a custom diving suit that weighed over 100 pounds when wet. “Plus the suit, when it’s wet, increases in weight by about 125 pounds. So, the kind of workouts and things that I have to do just to prepare for these things, it’s years of development. And yeah, and I’m producing it, so it’s also that kind of thing,” he said, emphasizing the immense physical preparation and mental focus the role required.
Cruise’s dedication to realism didn’t stop there. He revealed an additional danger: the risk of carbon dioxide build-up from his diving gear. “I’m breathing in my own carbon dioxide,” Cruise said. “It builds up in the body and affects the muscles. You have to overcome all of that while you’re doing it, and be present.” The effect, he explained, was a physical and psychological challenge—muscles aching, senses dulled—yet he had to remain perfectly focused for the camera.
This is hardly the first time Cruise has risked his safety for a Mission: Impossible set piece, but the extended underwater scene in The Final Reckoning may be one of his most ambitious yet. The actor, a four-time Oscar nominee and the film’s producer, insisted on authenticity at every stage, reportedly working for years with trainers, stunt coordinators, and technical teams to prepare for the role.
The result? A sequence that promises not just high-octane action, but a glimpse into the near-superhuman commitment Cruise brings to his craft. As the release of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning draws closer, fans can expect not just edge-of-their-seat thrills, but a masterclass in dedication and physical endurance from one of Hollywood’s most fearless stars.
