Tom Cruise, the global superstar known for high-octane stunts and films, has captivated audiences for decades, while regularly attracting the spotlight for his relationships, religion, and work ethic. But no matter how you feel about him, one thing is for sure: the guy loves movies, and he absolutely takes every possible step to make that cinematic gold standard happen even if it means to occasionally jump out of a moving Helicopter.
Be it the life-threatening death-defying stunts in Mission Impossible, the frenetic character in Eyes Wide Shut or his effortless charisma in Magnolia, Cruise’s love of the craft is apparent. His investment goes beyond what’s up on the screen: he has covered the cost of extra shoot days out of pocket and sent gifts to former crew members long after the camera stops rolling. But on the set of Mission: Impossible 2, Cruise’s thirst found its equal in the form of a director, the Hong Kong plunderer John Woo, who drew the line clear.
John Woo’s Journey to Hollywood and Beyond
How do you rank golden era John Woo (considering theatrical and single director credits only):
A Better Tomorrow
ABT 2
The Killer
Bullet in the Head
Once a Thief
Hard Boiled
Hard Target
Broken Arrow
Face/Off(include M:I 2 if you’re a fan) pic.twitter.com/HW7C4Wtc7U
— Will Gish (@wwgish) November 28, 2024
John Woo, the great Chinese director known for action classics like “The Killer” and “A Better Tomorrow,” directed the second “Mission: Impossible” movie. Woo’s work is revered, but his Hollywood journey had its challenges. The latter would wind up sort of marking the end of a run of flops, including 2003’s Paycheck: which sent Woo on a two-decade exile from the American cinema. Reflecting on this period, Woo spoke of the industry’s harsh dynamics:
“I wasn’t being afforded good scripts and struggled to find a project I truly cared about,” he said, adding that studio interference and limited creative control drove him to seek more independent ventures.
For instance, despite these challenges, Woo was offered the job of directing the second Mission: Impossible film. The first installment’s enormous success had raised the bar, but the sequel ultimately fell to the ground. Mission: Impossible 1&2 received a rating of 7.2 and 6.1 from IMDB respectively.
Behind-the-scenes buzz circulated about Cruise’s outsized reach with the project, whispers of him taking edit control of the film.
The Editing Room Standoff
➤ Mission: Impossible II (2000)
Definitely weaker than the first one, especially with the underdeveloped romantic plot having such a center role. But hey, they’re so damn gorgeous so *shrugs* let’s just watch the action scenes. pic.twitter.com/eGOd5MI83d
— CinemaObsessive (@CinemaObsessive) December 8, 2024
Woo then went on to clarify, responding to the rumors of Cruise’s involvement. Woo said Cruise remotely monitored the editing process.
“After the movie finished, he went to Australia for vacation, and then he wanted to put a camera in the cutting room to see our work because he wanted to know what we were doing,” Woo revealed. “We didn’t allow him to do that. He changed his mind. I said I needed to cut my film without any interference, and he understood.”
Cruise deferred to Woo’s boundaries, emerging from the editing room. But his initial request to live-stream the process also reflects his deep investment in every aspect of filmmaking. Some may find this extreme, but it’s also a side to Cruise’s dedication to providing the best possible product for spectators.
The next Mission: Impossible film, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, is scheduled for release on May 23, 2025. Stay tuned to Flash Sports, for everything entertainment and sports.
