Impossible-Style, & The Internet Reacts

Summary

• Tom Cruise wows at the Paris Olympics closing ceremony, showcasing his stunt skills and generating excitement for the LA 2028 games.
• Fans and internet users react to Cruise’s
  Mission: Impossible-
  style entrance, with many praising his show-stopping appearance.
• Cruise’s history of performing daring stunts in movies like
  Ghost Protocol
  and
  Rogue Nation
  adds to the anticipation for
  Mission: Impossible 8.

Tom Cruise dropped into the Paris Olympics closing ceremony in Mission: Impossible style and the internet is reacting. Portraying Ethan Hunt, an agent who has taken on dangerous jobs for the IMF, Cruise garnered major recognition for completing his own stunts through seven Mission: Impossible movies and counting. Audiences watched as Cruise was suspended from large heights, latched to a flying airplane, and handled other impressive stunt work. The 2024 Olympics generated a lot of attention, and while there was build up for the closing ceremony, Cruise has become a highlight.

During the event, Cruise descended onto stage, with the help of a wire, and was given the Olympic flag before appearing to jump from a plane. The standout moment was reacted to on X/Twitter, and many users noted how it kicks off excitement for the 2028 Los Angeles games. Check out some of the reactions below:

Cruise himself shared a selfie from the Paris Olympics and teased his return to California.

The Olympic Games account used a Mission: Impossible pun ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles event.

Kelly Knox used an image of Peacemaker when referring to Cruise at the ceremony, poking fun at how America is now stepping into the spotlight for the Olympics.

A contrast between the French and United States’ approach to Olympic ceremonies was hilariously pointed out by @TechnicallyRon.

Tom Cruise News praised Cruise’s appearance and posted an image of him riding a motorcycle at the event.

Jessica Benson jokingly commented that Cruise’s stunt may have increased one’s enthusiasm for the United States.

Mike Ryan enjoyed the idea of Cruise taking off on his bike and kicking off the next Olympics when they begin in four years.

Cruise was honored by Paramount Pictures for his commitment to stunt work, sharing a compilation of clips.

@jailedamanda commented on the longevity of Cruise’s career, which has spanned the length of time between Los Angeles’ Olympic Games.

Pat McAfee posted a photo of the modified Hollywood sign for the Olympics, and commended Cruise.

How This Olympics Appearance Compares To Cruise’s Other Stunts

Throughout the Mission: Impossible franchise, Cruise performed many memorable stunts, some involving motorcycles, so it makes sense that he used one for the Olympics. An example would be from Rogue Nation, when his character sped around other vehicles and dodged adversaries, before eventually crashing to the ground, narrowly avoiding Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson). In Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Cruise attempted another impressive, and more frightening stunt, by using a motorcycle to jump from a mountain.

Cruise has also ridden motorcycles outside of
Mission: Impossible,
most notably in the
Top Gun
films.

Cruise has also been up high for Mission: Impossible, and one sequence in Ghost Protocol, where he moves along the outside of the Burj Khalifa, proves this, making that drop at the Olympics more exciting. However, this was not the only time he appeared on television and performed a stunt similar to something from his movies. Accepting the MTV Movie & Television Award for Best Performance in 2023, Cruise sent a video message of him flying the Top Gun: Maverick plane.

It’s always entertaining to see Cruise execute a stunt on-screen for the Mission: Impossible franchise or any other action film. Being able to catch the actor perform live is just as thrilling, and his surprise appearance during the Olympics closing ceremony will likely have fans eagerly anticipating a return in 2028. In the meantime, next year’s Mission: Impossible 8 will surely feature even more exciting action sequences from the iconic actor.

Source: Various (see links above)