The president and chairman of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, Casey Wasserman, raved about the “Top Gun” star’s participation during the CNBC x Boardroom: Game Plan panel at the Fairmont Miramar hotel in Santa Monica, California
“He finished filming ‘Mission: Impossible’ at 6 pm in London, and got right on a plane. He landed in LA at 4 am and filmed the scene where he pulls onto a military plane,” the entertainment executive said, per the Hollywood Reporter.
Wasserman raved that “every step of the way, (Cruise) got more involved and more engaged” and ultimately did the pretaped stunt for free.
“We’re like, ‘Well, there’s no way we’re getting this. We’re going to get four hours of filming time. We’ll do the thing … with the Hollywood sign, he’ll hand the thing off and he’s done. Maybe we’ll get the other stuff, and the rest will be just a stunt double.’ About five minutes into the presentation, (Cruise) goes, ‘I’m in. But I’m only doing it if I get to do everything,’” he recalled.
The actor, 62, stunned viewers when he closed out the Paris Olympics and handed the torch to LA, where the next Summer Games will be held.
Cruise launched himself from the top of Stade de France and landed on the field, where he grabbed the Olympic flag.
He then took the flag from LA Mayor Karen Bass and Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and rode off into the streets of Paris before getting on a plane near the Eiffel Tower.
The video later showed the movie star flying the symbolic flag to California and skydiving to the iconic Hollywood sign before adding the famous five coloured Olympic rings to it.
“Thank you, Paris! Now off to LA,” he posted on X at the time.
Cruise has yet to publicly discuss his preparations for the death-defying stunt.
However, TMZ reported that he was the one who had approached the committee and expressed interest in getting involved in the closing ceremony.
The Oscar nominee was previously seen attending one of the women’s gymnastics matches in July.
“It’s awesome,” he told Reuters at the time. “Great stories, great athletes. It’s incredible what they have to do, the sense of accomplishment.”
Cruise was among several A-listers — including Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga — who flew to the City of Love to watch America take home the most medals.
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