Tom Cruise isn’t exactly known for sitting still. But in a refreshingly open chat on BBC Radio 1’s Movies with Ali Plumb, the iconic action star and yes, the guy who hangs off planes for fun, offered fans a rare look into what really fuels his fire. The interview touched on everything from death-defying stunts to his deep-rooted love of storytelling, and even what keeps him going after decades at the top.
For Cruise, it all comes down to one thing: heart. “Everything is in your heart and soul,” he said, almost like he was letting us peek behind the curtain. Sure, the guy trains like a maniac and has years of stunt experience tucked under his belt (and probably a few bruises too), but it’s that internal drive that keeps him climbing, jumping, running, literally.
Tom Cruise Talks Stunt Work and Mission: Impossible on BBC Radio 1
Cruise has never been one to phone it in. Whether he’s dangling from a biplane or sprinting barefoot across the Burj Khalifa, he’s all in, and he wants you to know it’s him doing those stunts, not some digital wizardry.
When you see me do it, you know it’s not CGI. I’m really up there, he told Ali Plumb, as casually as if he were talking about going to the store.
It’s not about showing off, it’s about making things feel real. That kind of commitment? It shows. You don’t just watch a Mission: Impossible movie, you feel it. Your palms sweat. Your jaw drops. And that’s exactly what Cruise is going for.
Why Every Movie Still Feels Like the First
Despite having more blockbusters under his belt than most actors dream of, Cruise isn’t coasting. If anything, each Mission: Impossible feels like a new mountain to climb (sometimes literally). He talked about the physical toll, yes, there are injuries, and the emotional intensity of living in each character’s skin.
“I never take it for granted,” he said. “Each day on set is a blessing.” And you believe him. There’s no smugness in his voice, just a kind of grounded gratitude you don’t always hear from people at his level.
What Does Legacy Look Like for Tom Cruise?
When asked how he wants to be remembered, Cruise didn’t rattle off awards or box office numbers. Instead, his answer was disarmingly simple: “As someone who loved making movies.” That’s it. Not a mogul, not a legend, just a guy who genuinely, fiercely loves what he does.
And honestly? That passion oozes out of every scene he’s in. Whether he’s free-falling off cliffs or slipping into a dramatic role, you can tell: Tom Cruise isn’t just showing up, he’s giving everything. And as long as he can keep doing it, he will. Because for him, this isn’t just a career, it’s a calling.
