Tom Cruise takes flight in Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation stunt

He's scaled the tallest building in the worldand clambered across a perilous cliff face, all for the sake of a role. But Tom Cruise's latest stunt in Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation made the adrenaline junkie and Hollywood star think twice.

"He said: 'Do you want to hang off an airplane?' And I was like 'Yeah okay, that sounds like fun. Let's try that out.'"

The idea started off as a joke from the film's director, Christopher McQuarrie, but Cruise (who is also a trained pilot) ran with the idea as he reprised his iconic role as secret agent Ethan Hunt in the latest instalment.

• WATCH: Tom Cruise on the red carpet for new Mission: Impossible flick

Tom Cruise's Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation airplane stunt

9 years ago

Duration 2:16

The Hollywood star and director Christopher McQuarrie describe the behind-the-scenes drama of one dramatic Mission Impossible stunt.

'Maybe this wasn't such a good idea'

"Months later, there I am hammering down the runway and I was thinking 'Maybe this wasn't such a good idea,'" Cruise told CBC News recently at the new thriller's Toronto premiere.

Ultimately, he waved away the hesitation. The 53-year-old actor is known for pulling off his own stunts rather than relying on CGI or stuntmen and, in this fifth instalment of the Mission Impossible series, he sets out to prove he's still got it.

Cruise underwent wind and speed simulations to prepare for the scene filmed eight times to capture the needed angles that had him barreling down a runway while clinging to the door of an Airbus A400.

He even had special contact lenses made so he could keep his eyes open during the shoot, which saw him soaring 5,000 ft. in the air.

"Of course, there was the cold, and I couldn't wear long underwear because there was the suit. And then there were the jet fumes from the exhaust," Cruise said, outlining the stunt's other challenges.

Although Cruise was tethered to the plane, the biggest risk was the one that they had no control over, according to McQuarrie.

"I was worried about a single pebble on the runway or a bird. If he got hit by a bird that was it," he said.

For Cruise, it was all worth it.

"We make our films for the audiences.The response has been amazing," he said.

Raising the bar

Though early reviews havebeen positive, Rogue Nation faces immense pressure to live up to the previous films,which have grossed more than $2 billion U.S. worldwide.

"It's such a Murderers' Row of great directors. It's John Woo and Brian De Palma, J.J. Abrams and Brad Bird," McQuarrie said.

"You're thinking 'I have to top the last movie. I want to raise the bar a little bit. I want to make a film that belongs in the group with those other four films.'"

Although a different director has been at the helm each time, the one constant is the man at the centre.

"He's the hardest working man in show business and the most fun," McQuarrie said of Cruise, who is also producer of the franchise.

Mission Impossible's Rebecca Ferguson

9 years ago

Duration 2:47

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation star on working with Tom Cruise in the action thriller

Co-star Rebecca Ferguson also praised Cruise, who radiates star power on and off-screen, she said.

"I think Tom has it and I think that's why Tom is just an ongoing incredible movie star and actor," said the Swedish actress, who appears as femme fatale Isla Faust in Rogue Nation.

"This guy walks into a room and it's a connection straight away."

Despite his status as one of Hollywood's biggest names, Cruise is quick to share the credit with his crew and fellow cast members, including familiar faces from the previous films such as Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames.

"It takes a village making these movies and the whole gang really put their heart and soul into it," Cruise said.

"I think they are such powerful actors. All of us together had a great time."

Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation opens Friday.