In a wide-ranging masterclass at the Cannes Film Festival, Christopher McQuarrie delved into the evolution of the “competitive” film business and why his collaboration with Tom Cruise offers a blueprint for how to keep theatergoers heading to the cineplex.
The “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” writer-director-producer told French journalist Didier Allouch that the theatrical experience is under siege thanks to the rise of streaming.
More from Variety
Tarak Ben Ammar to Receive Variety’s International Achievement in Film Award at the Cannes Film Festival
Shailene Woodley to Star in New York-Set Film ‘A Beautiful Journey’ From Anonymous Federation, Gabman (EXCLUSIVE)
‘Sound of Falling’ Director Mascha Schilinski Calls for No Limitations
“I’m not sitting here to advocate for [streaming] because I’m a diehard believer in the big-screen experience, and I believe that what makes film special is that however many hundreds of strangers have all come together to sit in a room and watch something together and experience something together,” he said. “Streaming is in danger of driving that into extinction.”
About 20 minutes into the hourlong conversation, Cruise made a surprise appearance, just one day after the mega-movie star previewed some of the “never been done” stunts in the film as part of a TikTok creator workshop at the festival.
“He doesn’t just write for me. He’s able to come in and write for the actor,” Crusie said of his frequent collaborator who he affectionately calls McQ.
While many industry observers expect this film to be the final installment in the multi-billion dollar franchise, Cruise didn’t exactly rule out future chapters when asked about the “Mission” future.
“I’d rather just people see it and enjoy and we’ve had an amazing time doing it and it’s been a lot of fun and I just want you all to enjoy it,” the actor said. “Enjoy this and know everything is the culmination has come to this moment right now.”
Cruise discussed how McQuarrie’s style offers a needed throwback to the Hollywood films of yesteryear, something he says is on display in the eighth installment of the franchise.
“It goes back to silent movies,” Cruise said. “When you’re looking at this film, you’re going to feel how the close-ups are used with the characters.”
McQuarrie, who grew up watching movies from the ’70s and even much older classics, talked about how Cruise will not take “no” for an answer when it comes to the daredevil stunts that will be on display tonight in the film.
“Tom said, ‘I want to be zero G in between the wings of the plane,’” McQuarrie said as Cruise laughed alongside. “And these people who do this for a living and are part of a decades-long tradition, said, ‘No, you’re not going to do that. And Tom said, ‘Thank you for your time.’ And we went on to some other people.”
Cruise also acknowledged that he is loath to recognize that word “no.”
“Don’t ask permission to do it. Just do it. So, don’t wait till everything’s perfect because it’s never going to be perfect. Movies aren’t perfect. People aren’t. Life isn’t perfect,” Cruise said. “But you want to go at it, and it’s better to do it.”
When it comes to performing the franchise’s famed stunts, Cruise says fear isn’t part of his psyche.
“I’ve always felt, you know, I don’t mind kind of encountering the unknown, and I like the feeling. It’s just an emotion for me. It’s something that is not paralyzing. It doesn’t bother me,” he said. “I enjoy any endeavor in life. People can be afraid to do something, and I’m like, ‘OK, I want to.’ I don’t mind kind of confronting it and going in … People can be quite frightened about the unknown, and I never have been.”
Elsewhere in the talk, McQuarrie railed against the competitive nature of Hollywood and how it negatively pits films against films, studios against studios and actors against other actors.
“One of the problems with contemporary cinema, particularly Hollywood, is over the course of my career, I’ve watched it develop into a competition. It has become about who crushes whom,” he said. “Tom Cruise is competing with no one but himself. He understands, and together we understand, that nobody wins unless everybody wins.”
“The Final Reckoning” debuts out of competition tonight as one of the most anticipated films to hit Cannes this year. Paramount is releasing the event film worldwide on May 21.
Best of Variety
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series – The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and ‘Hot Ones’ Stir Up Buzz
Oscars Predictions 2026: ‘Sinners’ Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
