Why Tom Cruise Pushed ‘Final Reckoning’ to Epic Heights: A Deep Dive into His Underwater Scene Challenges

Tom Cruise has taken on many daring roles, but underwater scenes have always posed unique challenges. He first tackled this challenge in 1985 with Legend and later faced even tougher trials in Edge of Tomorrow (2014) and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015). In Rogue Nation, Cruise held his breath for a staggering six and a half minutes during underwater scenes, but despite the impressive feat, director Christopher McQuarrie admitted that the experience left them dissatisfied.

McQuarrie shared, “Shooting in water is extremely challenging and very frustrating.” He even vowed to avoid underwater sequences altogether. The technical limitations of filming underwater made it a tedious process: on Rogue Nation, they managed only six setups a day.

Reflecting on this, McQuarrie and Cruise focused on what they learned for their next project, The Final Reckoning. This time, Cruise’s character Ethan must retrieve a vital object from a sunken Russian submarine in treacherous conditions.

The aim was to rely more on practical effects instead of visual effects. McQuarrie noted, “We were determined to do something that was more practical…less on CGI and green screen.” This hands-on approach led to a more immersive experience for both the filmmakers and the audience.

A significant improvement was McQuarrie’s decision to get into the water himself. He took scuba diving lessons, increasing the underwater shoot days from ten to twenty-two. This personal involvement enabled a more authentic direction, allowing him to communicate directly with the actors and crew, improving efficiency dramatically.

Building the set for The Final Reckoning took nearly two years. McQuarrie described it as "one of the biggest and most complex film sets ever." This enormous project required a custom-water tank that took 15 days to fill and a massive gimbal to simulate the underwater environment. They designed the gimbal to rotate and shift, making the action more dynamic. The construction alone was a logistical nightmare, as no existing facility could meet their ambitious plans.

The underwater scenes also presented real dangers. McQuarrie explained that the rotating set created unpredictable rip currents and environmental factors. Stunt coordinator Wade Eastwood emphasized the need for thorough rehearsal and preparation before filming. They had to ensure safety while maintaining realism, especially with props like torpedoes, which had to simulate real weight to resonate appropriately on-screen.

Eastwood highlighted the challenges of directing Tom Cruise amidst chaos. “When you’re in a scene, you can’t always tell when Tom is in real distress or just acting,” he noted. The stakes were high, with moments that pushed the limits of both performance and safety.

Cruise’s dedication and the innovations in filmmaking have not only raised the bar for action sequences but also sparked interest on platforms like social media. Fans are eager to see how the practical effects will influence the overall viewing experience.

To learn more about the filmmaking process, you can hear McQuarrie’s full insights on the Filmmaker Toolkit podcast, available on platforms like Spotify and Apple.

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Christopher McQuarrie,Film,Filmmaker Toolkit Podcast,Interviews,Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,Tom Cruise