How Brian De Palma Pitched Tom Cruise On Mission: Impossible’s CIA Break-In Scene
In 1996, Brian De Palma, who directed the first “Mission: Impossible” film, crafted it with the intention of being a standalone spy thriller about an IMF agent called Ethan Hunt who is forced to turn rogue. De Palma couldn’t have foreseen the series’ critical and commercial success — and that it would act as a launchpad for Tom Cruise’s career as a certified action star, who is now synonymous with the death-defying stunts that are a staple in Hunt’s evolving journey.
However, the audacious action sequences that are now an intrinsic part of the “Mission: Impossible” films can be traced back to De Palma taking a massive leap of faith. Be it the memorable CIA infiltration sequence or the massive train car showdown towards the end, De Palma pitched these ideas directly to Cruise, who was blown away by the sheer coolness of the storyboards.
“Mission: Impossible” has De Palma’s fingerprints all over it, replete with Dutch angles and his favorite split diopter shots. There’s also a moody, noir element to the story that is diluted in the sequels — De Palma employs the classic trope of a man being falsely accused by the very organization he serves, where everyone wears literal masks and plays a deft game of deception. The film’s opening mission in Prague sets the tone, as the tables are gradually turned on Hunt, who ends up as the sole survivor as his team is hunted one by one.
That tension carries over to the rest of “Mission: Impossible,” including the very next scene — a verbal confrontation between Hunt and IMF director Eugene Kittridge (Henry Czerny) in a restaurant. But no other sequence screams tension as the time Hunt and Co. decide to break into the CIA. Yes, I’m talking about the iconic vault scene, where Cruise hangs from the ceiling.
How Brian De Palma Pitched Tom Cruise On Mission: Impossible’s CIA Break-In Scene
- Advertisment - 
Recent Comments
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez Spreads Joy and Sportsmanship to the Youth of Loma de Cabrera
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer