Tom Cruise proved he was not just an action hero on the silver screen as he rushed to help a cameraman who lost his footing on top of a moving stream train while filming scenes for Mission Impossible 7 at the North Yorkshire Moors railway on Thursday.
While the cameraman was wearing a harness, the leading actor, 58, gallantly grabbed hold of him to stop him from falling further down the carriage and pulled him up so he could find his balance on a steel ledge.
Tom, who plays spy Ethan Hawke in the franchise, was joined by his ‘girlfriend’ Hayley Atwell, 39, and the pair filmed daring scenes which involved running on top of the locomotive as it travelled through the moors.
To the rescue! Tom Cruise proved he every inch the hero as he rushed to help a cameraman who lost his footing on top of a moving stream train while filming scenes for Mission Impossible 7 at the North Yorkshire Moors railway on Thursday
Tom, who was attached via a harness himself, spotted the cameraman was in trouble during filming and jumped into action.
The actor crouched down to haul up the crew member, who was carrying a huge camera to shoot the adrenaline-packed scenes.
Hayley bit her lip as she watched the fall from the carriage below, while other members of the crew, who were stationed on the other end of the cab filming the pair’s stunts, also tried to help.
Dramatic: Tom was joined by his ‘girlfriend’ Hayley Atwell, 39, and the pair filmed daring scenes which involved running on top of the locomotive as it travelled through the moors
Brave: Tom showed no signs of fear as he raced along the top of the carriage
Building an atmosphere: At one point, Tom looked like he was about to take a massive leap as he was surrounded by steam from the locomotive’s engine
MailOnline has contacted Tom’s representatives for comment.
During filming on Thursday, Hayley was seen speeding across the coal space behind the engine, and was attached with a wire to ensure she remained safe whilst doing the stunt.
After Hayley had finished her stunt, it was Tom’s turn and he was seen climbing up onto the locomotive before also running full pelt across the coal.
Tricky job: The cameraman was attached the train by a safety harness and had to carry a huge camera while perched on a tiny ledge
Wow! In the death-defying scenes, Hayley was seen speeding across the coal space behind the engine
Feeling anxious: Hayley bit her lip as she watched the fall from the carriage below
In character: Tom transformed into spy Ethan Hawke by pairing a black long-sleeved shirt over matching trousers, and he also wore gloves throughout the shoot
His turn: After Hayley had finished her stunt, it was Tom’s turn and he was seen climbing up onto the locomotive before also running full pelt across the coal
Scenic: The railway tracks wound through a stunning forest for the scenes
Hayley looked stylish for the day’s shoot as she dressed in an open-collared white shirt that she paired with a grey waistcoat and matching trousers.
She pulled her brunette locks into a tight ponytail so that her hair did not obscure her vision whilst she ran along the coals, and she also wore flat shoes.
Tom, meanwhile, transformed into spy Ethan Hawke by pairing a black long-sleeved shirt over matching trousers, and he also wore gloves throughout the shoot.
Cruise control: Tom was seen jumping down from the train after running across the coals
Impressive: The steam train powered along the railway, which passed a number of shaggy cows
There were also crew members stationed on a moving platform that was attached to a facade of the front of a carriage, and they appeared to be on hand to help the two actors with the scene.
A helicopter was also seen flying high above them, filming on a camera that had been mounted onto the front of the cockpit.
Their visit to set comes four months after romance rumours began between them, with sources saying at the time that filming ‘brought them closer’, and they are said to have become ‘fairly inseparable’ after they ‘hit it off from day one’.
Full steam ahead! The train went back and forth along the tracks for the shoot
And, action! Crew members were stationed on the other end of the cab, filming the pair’s stunts while the train continued to move at speed along the tracks
There he goes: The actor threw himself into filming as he clambered on top of the roof of the train
What’s next for Ethan? A camera filmed Tom looking anxious on top of the train carriage
Quick break: Tom and Hayley were seen stretching before doing all of their stunts
Easy does it: Hayley was seen grabbing onto one end of the coal space after running across it
Helping hand: Tom was seen with what appeared to be a stuntman who was sat on the train, and seemed to give the actors assistance with their moves
What a set up: A number of cameras were on hand to film Tom and Hayley as they filmed on the steam train
Tom and Hayley star opposite Vanessa Kirby and Rebecca Ferguson in the movie where the plot for the latest adventure of Tom’s character Ethan Hunt has been kept firmly under wraps.
Tom hasn’t had a high-profile romance since his divorce from ex-wife Katie Holmes, whom he split from in 2012 and shares daughter Suri, 15.
Prior to this, Tom was married to Nicole Kidman from 1990 to 2001. After their split, he retained custody of their two adopted children Connor, 26, and Isabella, 28, who had been raised in the Church of Scientology.
Beaming: Tom appeared to be delighted with the day’s shoot as he smiled at Hayley
Friendly: Hayley was seen chatting with a member of the crew who was dressed from head-to-toe in black protective gear
Interesting: A camera mounted on a crane that was attached to a car was filming Esai from the side as he ran along the train
Work: Tom and Hayley clearly have a very busy filming schedule for the blockbuster
Wow: Tom was pictured climbing on top of the train carriage while moving for one of the last shots of the day
Meanwhile Hayley is said to have split from her English doctor ex earlier this year.
A source told The Sun back in December: ‘Tom and Hayley hit it off from day one. Lockdown, and all the difficulties that came with it, brought them even closer and they’ve become fairly inseparable.
‘They’ve been meeting up after hours, and she’s been to his London pad. They get on brilliantly, and both seem very happy.’
MailOnline contacted both Tom and Hayley’s representatives for comment at the time.
Mission: Impossible 7 is scheduled to be released later this year.
It was claimed in February that location filming on Mission: Impossible 7 had wrapped after a marathon global schedule had been interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s all going on: The train was surrounded by crewman and cameras as they tested out the shots
Sparks flying: Hayley and Tom’s appearance on set comes four months after romance rumours began between them, with sources saying at the time that filming ‘brought them closer’
Talkative: Hayley was seen chatting away with the cameraman who was strapped in to film them on the moving train
Almost there: It was claimed in February that location filming on Mission: Impossible 7 had wrapped after a marathon global schedule had been interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic
Global: Filming began in the UK, moved to Norway and then back to Italy where it ground to a halt once again after 12 crew members tested positive for the coronavirus
At the time, director Christopher McQuarrie posted that production had finished in Abu Dhabi and he was heading ‘back to London for a few finishing touches.’
The delays due to the pandemic, however, mean that Tom’s plan to go straight into filming an eighth Mission: Impossible movie have had to be shelved, Deadline.com reported.
Filming on Mission: Impossible 7 was supposed to start in Italy in February 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed it until July 2020.
Filming began in the UK, moved to Norway and then back to Italy where it ground to a halt once again after 12 crew members tested positive for the coronavirus.
Rest: Tom was seen sitting on top of the train at one point as he prepared himself for the action scenes
Arrival: Tom was seen making his way to set earlier in the day with director Christopher McQuarrie
Preparations: Esai was seen walking menacingly over the coals after Hayley and Tom
Impressive: A helicopter was also seen flying high above them, filming on a camera that had been mounted onto the front of the cockpit
Arriving in style: Tom was seen landing his helicopter onto the set