In order to ensure productions aren't shut down due to a COVID-19 outbreak, studios are imposing strict set regulations designed to protect cast and crew from contracting and spreading the virus. Unfortunately, two Mission: Impossible 7 crew members failed to comply with the production's safety protocols and were consequently reprimanded by Tom Cruise.
Production on the seventh Mission: Impossible was scheduled to begin in February 2020 with a three-week shoot in Venice, Italy, before moving to Rome. However, concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the local government to ban mass gatherings and Paramount subsequently postponed the start of production on Mission: Impossible 7. Several months later, filming would resume under the aforementioned safety regulations, which include the requirement for those on set to maintain their distance from each other.
According to The Sun, two Mission: Impossible 7 crew members failed to comply with these protocols and were spotted standing less than a meter away from each other at a computer screen. In response, Cruise, who has reportedly taken it upon himself to assist the health and safety department in ensuring the safety precautions are enforced, lashed out at the two individuals in a tirade that was leaked to the British newspaper. "I'm on the phone with every f***ing studio at night, insurance companies, producers, and they're looking at us and using us to make their movies," he shouted, referring to the safety standard he hopes to set with the Mission: Impossible 7 production. "We are creating thousands of jobs you motherf*****s."
Cruise continued his rant by vowing to fire the two crew members if they violate the regulations again before emphasizing what's at stake if a COVID-19 outbreak forces Mission: Impossible 7 to suspend production again. "I don't ever want to see it again, ever. And if you don't do it you're fired, if I see you do it again you're f***ing gone. And if anyone in this crew does it--that's it, and you too and you too. And you, don't you ever f***ing do it again," Cruise shouted. "That's what I sleep with every night. The future of this f***ing industry! So I'm sorry, I am beyond your apologies. I have told you and now I want it and if you don't do it, you're out. We are not shutting this f***ing movie down!"
The COVID-19 pandemic has already forced the release date of Mission: Impossible 7 to be postponed. Initially slated to hit theaters in July 2021, the latest installment of the spy franchise was pushed back to November of the same year while the eighth entry was moved from August 2022 to the following November.
Cruise's concerns aren't unfounded considering multiple film productions have been forced to temporarily suspend filming since resuming amid the pandemic. One of the most prominent examples was Warner Bros.' The Batman, which shut down production for two weeks after lead star Robert Pattinson tested positive for COVID-19.
Mission: Impossible 7 is scheduled to be released in theaters on November 19, 2021.
Source: The Sun