“Mission: Impossible 7” producer and star Tom Cruise was caught on audiotape shouting at crew members and threatening to fire them for reportedly breaking COVID-19 health protocols.
The Sun published the expletive-filled audio in which Cruise said: “If I see you doing it again, you’re… gone.”
In the audio, Cruise shouted, “We are the gold standard. They’re back there in Hollywood making movies right now because of us. Because they believe in us and what we’re doing.”
He added, “I’m on the phone with every (expletive) studio at night, insurance companies, producers, and they’re looking at us and using us to make their movies. We are creating thousands of jobs, you (expletive). I don’t ever want to see it again. Ever!”
Cruise reacted after crew members were spotted standing too close to each other by a computer screen at Leavesden Studios in the United Kingdom.
Cruise’s recording, which surfaced online, drew praises from several personalities.
U.S. radio host John Rocha backed Cruise. He tweeted, “I wish MORE people in charge would react like this to people who violate protocols or not wearing masks. If only more people saw the bigger picture that Tom is highlighting here.”
THIS. IS. GODDAMN. BEAUTIFUL.
I wish MORE people in charge would react like this to people who violate protocols or not wearing masks. If only more people saw the bigger picture that Tom is highlighting here.
Good on @TomCruise . Thanks for setting an example on this, sir! https://t.co/YH9ICI2CCT
— John Rocha (@TheRochaSays) December 16, 2020
Meanwhile, Dennis Tseng from movie site Collider, said, “Tom Cruise ain’t wrong. Now he just needs to come back to America and yell at every single anti-masker.”
Tom Cruise ain't wrong. Now he just needs to come back to America and yell at every single anti-masker. https://t.co/TLQSnbXZ0R
— Dennis Tzeng (@ThinkHero) December 16, 2020
Just like many Hollywood productions, Mission: Impossible 7 faced challenges and delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The film series’ production in Italy was temporarily stopped last February after officials banned public gatherings as part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.
In July, permission was given for shooting to restart in the U.K. after Cruise personally appealed to Britain’s Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports Oliver Dowden.
In October, filming in Italy was halted anew after reports of a positive COVID test on set.
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