Tom Cruise Burj Khalifa: The Iconic Stunt in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol

Tom Cruise Burj Khalifa

Tom Cruise, known for performing his own death-defying stunts, cemented his reputation as one of Hollywood’s most daring action stars with his unforgettable sequence on the Burj Khalifa in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011). The fourth installment in the Mission: Impossible franchise featured what many consider one of the greatest stunts in modern action cinema: Tom Cruise scaling the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, without the use of a stunt double.

This article delves into the significance of this iconic stunt, the preparation that went into it, the challenges of filming on the Burj Khalifa, and the impact it had on Tom Cruise’s career, the Mission: Impossible franchise, and Dubai’s growing popularity as a global destination.

The Mission: Impossible Franchise and Its Evolution

The Mission: Impossible franchise, based on the 1960s TV series of the same name, first hit theaters in 1996, directed by Brian De Palma and starring Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, a secret agent working for the Impossible Mission Force (IMF). The film was a massive success, establishing Cruise’s star power as an action hero and launching one of the most popular action franchises in Hollywood history.

Over the years, each subsequent Mission: Impossible film raised the stakes in terms of action and spectacle. One of the defining characteristics of the franchise, particularly from the third film onward, has been Tom Cruise’s commitment to performing his own stunts. This not only adds authenticity to the action sequences but also elevates the excitement and tension for audiences, knowing that Cruise is risking his life to bring these scenes to life.

By the time Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011) was in production, the franchise had already established itself as a high-octane action series known for its jaw-dropping stunts. But Cruise and director Brad Bird wanted to take things to the next level for the fourth installment. They decided to shoot one of the film’s most crucial scenes on the Burj Khalifa, the tallest structure in the world, located in the heart of Dubai.

The Burj Khalifa: An Architectural Marvel

The Burj Khalifa stands at an astounding 828 meters (2,717 feet) and is the centerpiece of Dubai’s skyline. Opened in 2010, the building is not only an architectural and engineering marvel but also a symbol of Dubai’s ambition and global prominence. The skyscraper houses luxury apartments, offices, a hotel, and an observation deck that offers stunning views of the city and the surrounding desert.

Given its iconic status as the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa was the perfect setting for a breathtaking action sequence. The filmmakers knew that using the tower in the film would provide an unprecedented sense of scale and danger, making it a key attraction for audiences worldwide. However, filming on the Burj Khalifa was no simple task, and the logistics of shooting there would be incredibly complex.

The Planning and Preparation for the Stunt

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Burj Khalifa stunt is Tom Cruise’s hands-on involvement in every aspect of its planning and execution. Cruise has long been known for his intense dedication to performing his own stunts, and the Burj Khalifa sequence would be the pinnacle of his stunt work to date.

To prepare for the stunt, extensive planning was required. The first challenge was securing permission to film on the Burj Khalifa itself. The production team worked closely with the Dubai government and Emaar Properties, the developers of the Burj Khalifa, to gain access to the building’s exterior. Dubai, which had been positioning itself as a hub for international film productions, welcomed the opportunity to host such a high-profile shoot and to have the city featured prominently in a major Hollywood blockbuster.

Once the location was secured, the technical aspects of the stunt needed to be addressed. Cruise worked with a team of highly trained stunt coordinators, engineers, and safety experts to ensure that the sequence could be performed as safely as possible. While Cruise insisted on performing the stunt himself, the filmmakers took every precaution to minimize the risk, including the use of a harness system that would allow Cruise to scale the outside of the building while ensuring his safety.

However, performing the stunt on the exterior of the Burj Khalifa presented unique challenges. The tower’s height meant that the conditions at the top were vastly different from those at ground level. The wind speeds at such high altitudes were significantly stronger, and the temperatures could vary drastically throughout the day. These factors added an extra layer of difficulty to an already dangerous stunt.

Tom Cruise Scaling the Burj Khalifa: The Iconic Scene

The climactic scene in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol takes place when Ethan Hunt (played by Cruise) and his IMF team are in Dubai attempting to intercept a nuclear launch code transaction. To gain access to a secure room on the 130th floor of the Burj Khalifa, Hunt must scale the outside of the building using a pair of high-tech adhesive gloves. As Hunt climbs higher and higher, the tension escalates, and one of his gloves malfunctions, forcing him to rely on his strength and skill to complete the mission.

The scene, which lasts only a few minutes on screen, was shot over several days, with Cruise spending hours suspended on the exterior of the Burj Khalifa. Despite the dangers involved, Cruise remained committed to performing the stunt himself, climbing as high as 1,700 feet above the ground. The behind-the-scenes footage of the shoot shows Cruise hanging from the building’s façade, with nothing but a thin harness and wire system preventing him from plummeting to the streets below.

To capture the full scale of the stunt, director Brad Bird and cinematographer Robert Elswit used cutting-edge IMAX cameras, which allowed them to film in stunning detail and immerse the audience in the action. The use of IMAX also added to the visceral impact of the scene, making viewers feel as though they were right there with Cruise, clinging to the side of the building.

The result is one of the most visually impressive and heart-pounding sequences in modern action cinema. Audiences were left in awe as they watched Cruise dangle from the world’s tallest building, fully aware that the actor had performed the stunt without a stunt double.

Impact on Tom Cruise’s Career and the Mission: Impossible Franchise

The Burj Khalifa stunt in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol became an instant cinematic landmark, solidifying Tom Cruise’s status as one of the most fearless actors in Hollywood. The film’s release was met with widespread acclaim, and much of the praise centered on Cruise’s dedication to performing the Burj Khalifa sequence.

The success of the film, both critically and commercially, revitalized the Mission: Impossible franchise, which had seen a slight dip in box office performance with its third installment. Ghost Protocol grossed over $694 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film in the franchise at the time. The Burj Khalifa stunt was a major selling point for the film, drawing in audiences eager to witness the spectacle on the big screen, especially in IMAX.

For Tom Cruise, the stunt further cemented his reputation as an action star willing to push the boundaries of what is possible in filmmaking. His commitment to authenticity and realism in action scenes became a defining characteristic of his career. The Burj Khalifa sequence also set the stage for future Mission: Impossible films, where Cruise would continue to perform increasingly dangerous stunts, such as hanging off the side of an Airbus A400M in “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” (2015) and performing a HALO (high-altitude, low-opening) jump in “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” (2018).

The Legacy of the Burj Khalifa Stunt

The Burj Khalifa stunt in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol has become one of the most iconic moments in action movie history. It exemplifies the evolution of the action genre, where practical effects and real stunts, performed by the actors themselves, create a heightened sense of realism and danger that CGI alone cannot replicate.

Beyond its impact on the film industry, the stunt also had a significant effect on the perception of Dubai as a global destination. The Burj Khalifa, already a symbol of modern engineering and ambition, gained even more recognition as a backdrop for one of the most memorable action scenes in cinema. Dubai, with its futuristic skyline and unique architecture, became a more popular location for international film productions, further boosting its tourism and entertainment industries.

Conclusion

Tom Cruise’s Burj Khalifa stunt in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication to pushing the limits of what can be achieved in action filmmaking. By scaling the world’s tallest building, Cruise not only delivered a pulse-pounding cinematic experience but also raised the bar for future action films. The sequence will forever be remembered as one of the most daring and visually stunning stunts in movie history, and it continues to inspire awe among audiences and filmmakers alike.