‘Mission: Impossible’ Director Christopher McQuarrie Was Ready to Quit the Business When He Met Tom Cruise

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When Christopher McQuarrie crossed paths with Tom Cruise, the director was on the verge of leaving the world of cinema altogether.

He mentioned during a discussion at the Cannes Film Festival, just hours before the premiere of Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, that he was about to leave. However, after meeting with Tom Cruise, he decided to stick around for a while longer. “Working on a Tom Cruise film isn’t about him showing you how to do it. It’s about Tom Cruise inspiring you and asking, ‘What are your plans for the spotlight when it shines on you for the first time?’ It’s both incredibly challenging and incredibly enlightening.

Since 2012, Cruise’s preferred director, Christopher McQuarrie, has been directing him in films such as Jack Reacher. After a successful career as a screenwriter, including works like The Usual Suspects and Valkyrie starring Cruise, McQuarrie stepped into the director’s role for Reacher and later took control of the Mission series with Rogue Nation in 2015.

Since 2012, Christopher McQuarrie, who often directs Cruise, has been working with him on films like Jack Reacher. After writing many successful movies like The Usual Suspects and Valkyrie featuring Cruise, McQuarrie became a director for Reacher and then took charge of the Mission series with Rogue Nation in 2015.

During our mid-conversation at Cannes, Cruise unexpectedly appeared in the theater to discuss his collaborator. “I had familiarized myself with his career prior to our encounter,” Cruise mentioned. “He possesses a distinctively fresh viewpoint regarding [Mission: Impossible].

The Final Reckoning

In this concluding chapter of the Mission franchise featuring Tom Cruise, Ethan Hunt embarks on a mission to find and neutralize a rogue AI that threatens humanity’s existence. With locations ranging from Tokyo to London, the film will have its French premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 14th. Preliminary reviews following press screenings have been favorable, with many labeling it as the “summer’s action blockbuster.

At the finale of the movie, a daring move was incorporated, stemming from a TikTok clip shown to Cruise by the director. McQuarrie mused, “I thought he’d find it amusing. He said, ‘I could do that.’ I said, ‘No, you can’t.’ He replied, ‘Yes.'” The director later admitted, “People often ask me, ‘Does Tom propose an idea that I reject?’ No. But have I regretted proposing ideas to Tom? Yes.

Speaking about his film “The Usual Suspects,” McQuarrie noted that while the movie didn’t rake in significant box office numbers, it managed to secure him an Oscar for screenwriting. Today, it’s primarily recognized for its surprising finale, a plot twist that continues to resonate in popular culture.

McQuarrie stated that the movie was only in theaters for a brief period, managed to recoup its costs, and then was swiftly withdrawn, essentially vanishing. It wasn’t until it started circulating among industry circles on home video that it gained noticeable attention by the time of the Academy Awards. McQuarrie added that in today’s internet era with heightened film awareness, it would be challenging to surprise audiences with a twist like this.

McQuarrie honed his skills on moderately priced films, a genre seldom seen nowadays. He lamented the fact that up-and-coming filmmakers no longer have the chance to thrive or falter on a smaller scale in cinemas. As McQuarrie put it: “One of the things that defines film and pushes it to be better is opening weekend. How long can I stay in theaters? How many people can I attract? To me, this challenge keeps you from becoming complacent.

As a gamer, if someone shows me a creator with full creative control, I’d gladly return the favor by showing them a creator who’s crafting an experience for a niche audience. My advice? If my tale doesn’t resonate with the masses, it’s not worth sharing in the first place.

The director expressed that during his professional journey, film releases have transformed into a battle among studios. “It’s important for us to collaborate instead of competing. That’s why you notice Tom advocating for movies that others might consider rivals,” McQuarrie explained. Interestingly, Cruise frequently uses social media to encourage viewers to watch movies, such as Ryan Coogler’s latest work, “Sinners.” As McQuarrie added, “Tom Cruise isn’t competing with anyone; he’s only challenging himself.

Discussing the conclusion of the Mission: Impossible series, Cruise mentioned that the original Mission film, released in 1996, was his debut as a producer. “I poured everything into it, and it’s delightful to be part of this process,” he stated. “Honestly, I can say there wasn’t a single day when I didn’t give my best.

Instead of directly answering whether it’s truly the end for Ethan Hunt portrayed by Cruise, he prefers for the audience to simply watch and appreciate it.

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2025-05-14 16:28