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An audio recording of Tom Cruise ranting against crew members on the set of the latest movie “Mission: Impossible” in London has gone viral. The actor, who is also producing the film, was caught yelling at the team for not following COVID-19 protocols.
Sources close to the production told Reuters and Variety that the audio, first obtained by The Sun, is authentic.
In the recording, which has been widely shared on social media, Cruise addresses two people he apparently saw standing too close to each other, in violation of social distancing rules.
“If I see you do it again, you go away,” says Cruise. The filming full of expletives continues for three and a half minutes.
Samantha Zucchi / Insidefoto / Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images
“We are the gold standard,” he says. “They’re out there in Hollywood making movies right now because of us. Because they believe in us and what we’re doing. I’m on the phone with all the damn studios at night, insurance companies, producers, and they’re watching us and using us to make his movies. We’re creating thousands of jobs, motherfuckers. I never want to see him again. Never! “
Many industries have been affected by COVID-19, and while film production with security restrictions is now allowed in many cities, it was initially suspended at the start of the pandemic.
“No apologies,” Cruise tells the crew members. “You can tell people who are losing their damn homes because our industry is closed. He’s not going to put food on his table or pay for his college education. That’s what I sleep on every night – the future of this fucking industry!”
He continues: “I already told you, and now I want it, and if you don’t, you are out. We are not going to close this damn movie! Is that understood? If I see it again, you are shitty gone.”
After a couple of minutes, Cruise’s anger gives way to a more pleading tone. He reiterates that team members have a responsibility and that not following protocols would lead to the film’s closure, costing people their jobs.
It is unclear what day the audio was recorded. On Wednesday, London moved to “Level 3: Very High Alert”, which means there are stricter restrictions, closing bars, pubs and restaurants except for take out, closing theaters and banning indoor social gatherings.
The Level 3 guide still allows film and television recordings to continue, according to Film London. However, there is a checklist of protocols that productions must follow, including social distancing, increasing equipment cleaning, and reducing the number of people present.
According to Reuters, production on the seventh “Mission: Impossible” closed in February while filming in Italy. Filming resumed in September and moved to London in December. The film, from Paramount Pictures (a division of ViacomCBS), is scheduled to be released in November 2021.
CBS News has reached out to Paramount Pictures for comment and is awaiting a response.
