Tom Cruise is fully back to work on production of Mission: Impossible 7 after the blockbuster was forced to halt production in Italy and relocate to the UK due to the global coronavirus pandemic.
The Hollywood star, 57, was seen doing his own stunts in Dunsfold in Surrey, England, at a test track previously used for BBC motoring show Top Gear.
The actor donned protective gear to perform stunts on a motorbike before getting behind the wheel of a car and speeding it around the tarmac, smoke billowing from it as he went.
Seventh gear! Tom Cruise is fully back to work on production of Mission: Impossible 7 after the blockbuster was forced to halt production in Italy and relocate to the UK due to the global coronavirus pandemic
Back to work: The Hollywood star, 57, was seen doing his own stunts in Surrey, England, at a test track previously used for BBC motoring show Top Gear
Well-equipped: The actor donned protective gear to perform stunts on a motorbike; he also seemed in high spirits as he got to work
Cruise was seen performing a wheely on the bike, clad in a black bomber jacket and crash helmet.
He seemed in high spirits as he straddled the bike and chatted to a member of the crew, as he waited to take to the tarmac for the dramatic sequence.
For the car, he donned a beanie hat, and was seen in the driver’s seat with another man, in blue.
He stepped out in a black top, jeans and aviator shades as he made his way from vehicle to vehicle.
Cruise – who has fronted all six, and now the seventh, Mission: Impossible films, has always performed his own stunts.
Geared up: Cruise was clad in a black bomber jacket and crash helmet for the bike scenes
Ready, set, cruise: For the car, he donned a beanie hat, and was seen in the driver’s seat with another man, in blue
Loving it: He stepped out in a black top, jeans and aviator shades as he made his way from vehicle to vehicle
Test track: The crew were on location at Top Gear’s old track in Dunsfold
Wheely great! Cruise was seen performing a wheely on the bike as he raced along the concrete
Own stunts: Cruise – who has fronted all six, and now the seventh, Mission: Impossible films, has always performed his own stunts
It seems M:I 7 will feature the usual array of dare-devil sequences, with a multitude of vehicles on the track.
As well as the motorcycle – which seemed to be involved in a chase scene – and the black car, there was a helicopter, a plane and a mini on set.
It seems M:I 7 will feature the usual array of dare-devil sequences, with a multitude of vehicles on the track
On your marks: The motorcycle seemed to be involved in a chase scene
Getaway tactic: Cruise flipped the motorbike up as he sped along the road
Trains, plans and automobiles: As well as the motorcycle and the black car, there was a helicopter, a plane and a mini on set
In February Cruise was forced to hole up in a luxury hotel in Venice after the filming of Mission: Impossible 7 was halted after the outbreak of coronavirus in Italy.
The actor had been due to begin filming in some of the most picturesque and popular parts of the floating city but production was put into limbo after authorities enforced a total lockdown in order to stop further spread of the deadly disease.
It was thought that Cruise and his co-stars would relocate to Buckinghamshire’s Pinewood Studios following the disruption – where many major movies are shot.
Disruption: In February Cruise was forced to hole up in a luxury hotel in Venice after the filming of Mission: Impossible 7 was halted after the outbreak of coronavirus in Italy
Setback: Mission: Impossible 7, which is being directed by Christopher McQuarrie, is set for a summer 2021 release, but the halt on filming could delay this
He’s off: The actor took off inside an orange chopper in a further dare-devil sequence
While the outdoor scenes were performed in Surrey on Tuesday, production seems to be continuing despite the pandemic, with Pinewood the likely option.
When asked about the disruption, co-star Simon Pegg told BBC Radio 6: ‘[We’re] not in Venice, that’s where I’m supposed to be. Paramount were very cautious and sensible I think and pulled the production out of Venice.
‘It’s a big group of people, we were shooting carnival sequences and it was just unwise to remain so we bugged out.
‘I think it would be indelicate to complain about anything other than the fact that there was a lot of disruption for everyone.’
Mission: Impossible 7, which is directed by Christopher McQuarrie, is set for a summer 2021 release, but the halt on filming could delay this.