Tom Cruise paralyzes Rome with 7th “Mission: Impossible” premiere

US actor Tom Cruise once again showcased his global popularity with the premiere of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Part One,” the seventh installment of the action-packed saga. The highly anticipated film, which was shot in Rome during the pandemic under strict security measures, made its debut and caused a complete shutdown of the downtown area of the Italian capital.

Choosing the iconic Spanish Steps at the renowned Piazza di Spagne as the venue, Cruise, accompanied by the film’s director and co-writer Christopher McQuarrie, kicked off the world premiere of the Paramount/Skydance project. They expressed gratitude to the people of Rome, as well as the local governments of Rome and Venice, for their invaluable assistance in bringing the project to fruition.

Filming the movie in Rome during challenging times was an “honor and a dream” for Cruise, who acknowledged the patience of the Romans and local residents as the production team had to block off streets. Despite the scorching sun, hundreds of tourists and curious onlookers crowded the nearby streets for hours, eagerly awaiting a glimpse of the Hollywood megastar.

Cruise also shared that some of the film’s most thrilling scenes take place in Rome, including a breathtaking chase involving a Fiat 500 through the Colosseum and the Trinita dei Monti church. The cities of Venice, Norway, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates, particularly Abu Dhabi, also play significant roles in the movie’s plot.

Expressing gratitude for the support received, Cruise emphasized his dedication to making movies for the big screen and his appreciation for the community that enabled him to pursue his passion. He spent over an hour mingling with the public on the Spanish Steps, along with fellow cast members Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Esai Morales, Vanessa Kirby, Pom Klementieff, and Henry Czerny.

Pegg, known for his role as Benji Dunn in the franchise, cheerfully acknowledged that the crowd primarily gathered to see Cruise, who performs daring and dangerous stunts, while his character remains behind the computer screen.

McQuarrie, who has helmed the fifth and sixth films of the series, echoed Pegg’s sentiment, noting that they strive to incorporate their collective experiences and constantly improve with each new film.

In “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Part One,” Cruise’s character Ethan Hunt embarks on a mission to locate a new computer weapon that poses a threat to humanity. Racing against time, he traverses the globe to protect mankind from a mysterious and immensely powerful enemy.

With an estimated budget of nearly $300 million, the film has already initiated production for a sequel. McQuarrie confirmed that the team would undoubtedly return with another captivating international thriller in the near future.