This is an impossible mission.
Tom Cruise earned a shocking amount of money for his attention-grabbing stunt at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics: zero dollars.
Casey Wasserman, president and chairman of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, spoke about Cruz, 62, during the CNBC x Boardroom: Game Plan panel at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, California, on Tuesday.
“He finished shooting 'Mission: Impossible' in London at 6 p.m. and got on a plane straight away. He arrived in L.A. at 4 a.m. and filmed the scene where he gets on a military plane,” Wasserman said of Cruise, According to The Hollywood Reporter,
Wasserman said that “every step of the way, (Cruise) got more and more involved and engaged” and eventually he performed the pre-recorded stunts for free.
“We were thinking, 'Well, we can't get that. We'll get four hours of filming time. We'll do this thing … with the Hollywood sign, he'll hand it over and he'll be done. Maybe we'll take the other stuff, and just have stunt doubles do the rest.'”
But, the entertainment executive recalled, “about five minutes into the presentation, (Cruise) says, 'I'm in it. But I'll only do it if I get to do everything,'” he said, adding that Cruise did it all for free.
The “Top Gun” star, who was a frequent presence at the Olympics, including watching Simone Biles in gymnastics, wowed viewers at the Aug. 11 closing ceremony.
During the proceedings, Cruz descended from the roof of the French stadium to officially carry the Olympic torch to Los Angeles. The city will host the next Summer Olympics in 2028.
The 'Edge of Tomorrow' actor was handed the Olympic flag and carried it as he rode on a motorcycle through the streets of Paris.
In a pre-recorded video, Cruise boarded a jet plane – and he parachuted onto the famous Hollywood signboard in California.
The handoff culminated with skateboarder Jagger Eaton arriving on stage in Venice Beach, California, where the Red Hot Chili Peppers performed.
Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre also performed.
US swimming superstars Katie Ledecky and rower Nick Mead served as flag bearers at the closing ceremony – as the US topped the Olympic medal count with an impressive 126 medals, including 40 gold.
The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles will begin on July 14 of that year.
