Tom Cruise Returns with 'Mission: Impossible 8' Showcasing 30 Years of Expertise

'Mission: Impossible' returns with its eighth installment, 'Mission: Impossible: Final Recording' (hereafter 'Mission: Impossible 8'), featuring the culmination of Tom Cruise's 30 years of expertise as both the lead actor and producer.

On the 8th, a press conference for 'Mission: Impossible 8' was held at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Director Christopher McQuarrie, along with actors Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, Pom Klementieff, and Greg Tarzan Davis, were in attendance.

'Mission: Impossible 8' is an action blockbuster where Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and the IMF (Impossible Mission Force) team face a life-threatening mission amidst a global crisis. This marks the eighth story in the 'Mission: Impossible' series.

Tom Cruise reprises his role as elite IMF agent Ethan Hunt. Visiting Korea for the 12th time, Cruise expressed his gratitude, saying, "Korea is a beautiful country. Thank you for the warm hospitality." He added, "It was a seven-year journey. The director and our cast dedicated five years to this film."

As both an actor and producer, Tom Cruise has poured his expertise into this film. He shared, "Since I was a child, making movies was my dream. As a four-year-old, I wanted to travel the world making films." He continued, "I shot my first film, 'Taps,' at 18. Lying in bed, I wondered what my life would become and decided to dedicate everything to storytelling in films. I vowed to do it for life." He expressed gratitude to fans, saying, "I consider it a privilege to entertain you."

Having been part of the 'Mission: Impossible' series for over 30 years, Tom Cruise has aged from his 30s to his 60s. He stated, "'Mission: Impossible' was the first film I produced," and added, "It's a privilege to apply what I've learned to future projects."

Director Christopher McQuarrie emphasized the importance of character and emotion in the film, stating, "For me, characters and emotions are crucial. It's an action movie, but ultimately, the story and characters matter." He added, "This film stands out from its predecessors. I'm particularly proud of how we've brought characters to life with detailed emotional arcs. We set that goal at the start of the journey and achieved it."

McQuarrie and Cruise adapted flexibly to challenging shooting environments, including aerial and underwater scenes. McQuarrie shared, "The scariest part was not knowing exactly what the shooting environment would be like. It was terrifying not knowing what we'd encounter in aerial or Arctic scenes."

He continued, "Filming in the air, underwater, and in the Arctic was challenging. We had to be ready to change plans swiftly. It took two and a half years to build a submarine and two years to shoot aerial scenes properly." He added, "Even with plans, sometimes we had to start from scratch after seeing the actual environment."

Regarding the 'wing walking' scene on a flying plane, Tom Cruise said, "The director jokingly asked if I wanted to go on the wing, and I actually did it. Many dreams became reality while making movies. It required meticulous planning, from camera work to handling the plane and getting on the wing. It always required effort."

Tom Cruise is renowned for performing unprecedented stunt actions himself. He stated, "I've developed spatial awareness beyond that of an average person," and added, "I enjoy challenges. You only know how to apply sequences by actually doing them. I enjoy the pressure from the unknown."

Hayley Atwell plays Grace, a new IMF member. Grace, a former pickpocket, initially puts Ethan Hunt in danger but is recognized for her skills and joins the IMF team. She excels in sleight of hand and remains calm in unexpected situations.

Atwell expressed her excitement, saying, "We made this film with care. I'm thrilled to share it with you. It's an exciting experience."

Simon Pegg reprises his role as Benji Dunn, the IMF's IT specialist. Pegg shared, "I first shot 'Mission: Impossible' 20 years ago. I never imagined being part of it for 20 years. We've traveled the world filming and made great friends. It's become a film with immense meaning."

Pegg shared a behind-the-scenes story, saying, "Filming in the Arctic was fun. We lived on an icebreaker and shot on the frozen sea during the day. At night, we played poker while snacking." He added, "In minus 40 degrees, we checked each other's noses for frostbite. It was fun filming in a place uninhabitable on Earth."

Pom Klementieff plays Paris, a fierce fighter. Paris, initially a killer threatening Ethan Hunt, joins forces with him after surviving a life-threatening situation to complete a mission of destiny.

Klementieff shared, "My mother is Korean. Korea means a lot to me," and added, "I'll enjoy lots of delicious Korean food before leaving."

Greg Tarzan Davis plays CIA agent Theo Dega. Dega, initially pursuing Ethan Hunt, observes Hunt's choices and eventually sides with Hunt and the IMF.

Having worked with Tom Cruise on three projects, Davis said, "Working with Tom was fantastic. It's my third time with the director, including 'Top Gun.' Tom was very supportive, making me feel like I could do something."

When asked about the significance of the 'Mission: Impossible' series, Tom Cruise said, "I want audiences to enjoy this film." He added, "This film is the pinnacle of the 'Mission: Impossible' franchise over the past 30 years. I don't want to say more so audiences can watch and enjoy it." He emphasized, "I love making movies. Bringing joy to audiences is meaningful to me."

Cruise concluded, "I've always been curious about people and the world. I've learned new skills and applied them to films. My skills are improving, and I'm growing."

Fans are saddened by rumors that this film might be the last in the 'Mission: Impossible' series. 'Mission: Impossible 8' is set to release on the 17th in Korea and the 23rd in North America.

Reported by Kim Ji-won, TenAsia bella@tenasia.co.kr