Tom Cruise has become synonymous with extreme action sequences in Hollywood, a reputation he fully embraces. The actor has openly admitted to loving stunts, even going as far as hiring a new safety coordinator if told he couldn’t perform one.
However, in his drive for thrilling action and stunt work, he sometimes goes to unnecessary extremes. A similar situation unfolded during the production of Steven Spielberg’s 2002 sci-fi film Minority Report, where Cruise took an excessive approach to one particular action scene that wasn’t entirely necessary.
Tom Cruise’s Daring Action Sequences of Minority Report
While some of Tom Cruise’s most daring feats, such as climbing the Burj Khalifa and hanging off a plane, are mainly seen in the Mission: Impossible franchise, his passion for action sequences is also evident in earlier films, particularly in the 2002 sci-fi movie Minority Report.
Based on the novel of the same name, the film follows John Anderton, a PreCrime police officer who stops crimes before they occur. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he finds himself becoming the very target he hunts.
In one notable scene of the movie, John is cornered in a street alley by multiple officers in hoverpacks. While it incorporated CGI, it also relied significantly on practical effects, allowing actors to soar through the air, swing around fire escapes, and crash into walls and ceilings.
The complex scene required the filmmakers to create a custom alley at Warner Bros. and implement an elaborate setup that included miles of truss and wire to facilitate the flying stunts. Ultimately, this sequence provided the adrenaline rush the action star craved, as he eagerly performed his own stunts throughout the scene.
Behind the Scenes of Tom Cruise’s Groundbreaking Stunt in Minority Report
A behind-the-scenes featurette of Minority Report features insights from production designer Alex McDowell, special effects supervisor Michael Lantieri, and director Steven Spielberg as they reflect on the filming of a key action scene.
noted that filming in a real location would have been “completely impractical” due to the extensive rigging required for the scene, which led the team to construct a similar set on the Warner Bros. backlot.
Special effects supervisor Lantieri elaborated on the intricate wiring and camera angles needed for the sequence, explaining that they utilized “miles upon miles of truss and wire […] so that we could travel six to eight people at different speeds, different heights, along with the camera, up and down, dragging on the ground, pulling straight up, falling straight down.”
Director Spielberg further emphasized that amidst the elaborate setup, it was Tom Cruise who took the initiative to perform many of the stunts himself, stating,
All the high falls where he jumped off the building and grabbed one of the pre-crime cops that was coming to arrest him, that was all Tom. He did all those high jumps.
The cinematographer also expressed that “pretty much what you see happened in real life.” While Cruise showcased his talent in executing the action sequence, the practical challenges and risks involved could have been avoided by using alternative filming techniques.
Minority Report is available to watch on Paramount+.
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