Tom Cruise wears TWO face masks as he greets fans on Mission: Impossible 7 set

Tom Cruise took a brief break from filming to greet a crowd of fans gathered on the streets of Rome on Sunday, as production continued on Mission: Impossible 7.

Sharply dressed in a grey waistcoat with a crisp white shirt, the 58-year-old actor donned a black face mask over a blue surgical one as he greeted the throng of onlookers, who held their phones aloft to capture shots of the star.

Once back to work before cameras, the Cruise and his co-star Hayley Atwell, 38, were seen chained to a steering wheel as they shot gripping car chase scenes.

Doubling up: Tom Cruise was seen wearing a pair of masks while he greeted a crowd of fans gathered on the streets of Rome on Sunday, as production continued on Mission: Impossible 7

With a production crew surrounding them as they sat together in the black vehicle, the pair looked focused as they got into their respective characters for the scenes.

In between takes, Cruise put safety first, wearing his pair of masks as he mingled with co-stars, crew and fans on the picturesque set of the upcoming movie. 

Having already utilised many of the Italian capital’s most iconic landmarks, the team were seen shooting near the Victor Emmanuel II Monument.

Cuffed: Once back to work before cameras, the Cruise and his co-star Hayley Atwell, 38, were seen chained to a steering wheel as they shot gripping car chase scenes

Cuffed: Once back to work before cameras, the Cruise and his co-star Hayley Atwell, 38, were seen chained to a steering wheel as they shot gripping car chase scenes

The day before, Cruise was seen getting behind the wheel of a vintage yellow Fiat 500 as he prepared for dramatic stand-off scenes with a squad of police cars.

Work on film has seen the cast and crew go before cameras in a range of European locations, including the UK and Norway, as well as the Italian city of Venice.

The shoot is understood to be nearing completion after a turbulent filming schedule caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

In October, Tom held crisis talks with director Christopher McQuarrie after 12 people on set reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.

Dapper: The star was sharply dressed in a grey waistcoat with a crisp white shirt and striped tie as he made his way over to the fans for an impromptu meet and greet

Hanging tough: As well as giving onlookers a thumbs up, he also playfully raised a fist

Dapper: The star was sharply dressed in a grey waistcoat with a crisp white shirt and striped tie as he made his way over to the fans for an impromptu meet and greet

Health chiefs were said to be tracing the contacts of those who tested positive after filming was suspended, dashing hopes it was an isolated case.

It appeared to be yet another blow for the action movie franchise after filming was suspended earlier this year during the first European wave of coronavirus when cases rose sharply in Italy.

The actor and the director, who worked together on previous Mission Impossible movies and Jack Reacher, were deep in conversation at their luxury base in the city, days after the situation came to light, but filming has now been allowed to continue with production restarting in recent weeks.

In October, The Sun reported 150 extras for the film were informed they were not to come in to shoot scenes that were on the filming schedule for the evening.

Taking questions: Keeping a safe distance from the crowd, the actor gamely chatted with them

Taking questions: Keeping a safe distance from the crowd, the actor gamely chatted with them

Picture perfect: The fans held their phones aloft to capture shots of the 58-year-old screen star

Picture perfect: The fans held their phones aloft to capture shots of the 58-year-old screen star

While no official reason was given for the sudden decision, it was claimed a coronavirus test had come back positive from the production so filming needed to be suspended temporarily.

A source speaking to the publication claimed: ‘There are about 150 extras involved in the filming and late on Thursday they were all told not to turn up for work and they would be notified when they would be allowed back on set.

‘No official reason has been given but it’s feared it’s down to COVID and this will be the second time the production has been hit because of the virus.’

Crew also urged members of the public to remain socially distanced from one another as they waited to see the stars, while Tom and director Christopher are also said to have made the request.

Light at the end of the tunnel: The shoot is understood to be nearing completion after a turbulent filming schedule caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic

Light at the end of the tunnel: The shoot is understood to be nearing completion after a turbulent filming schedule caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic

Crisis talks: In October, Tom held crisis talks with director Christopher McQuarrie after 12 people on set reportedly tested positive for COVID-19

Crisis talks: In October, Tom held crisis talks with director Christopher McQuarrie after 12 people on set reportedly tested positive for COVID-19

MailOnline contacted Paramount Pictures and Tom Cruise’s representatives for comment at the time.

Earlier this year, filming for the upcoming action movie was halted in Italy after cases of novel coronavirus rose sharply.

The crew and actors headed to Norway to film instead, before returning to the Italian capital to continue with scenes once it was safe to do so.

It was reported this summer that Hollywood legend Tom hired a £500,000 ship for the film’s crew in Norway to avoid any coronavirus-related delays.

Height of the pandemic: Earlier this year, filming for the upcoming action movie was halted in Italy after cases of novel coronavirus rose sharply

Locations: The crew and actors headed to Norway to film instead, before returning to the Italian capital to continue with scenes once it was safe to do so

Height of the pandemic: Earlier this year, filming for the upcoming action movie was halted in Italy after cases of novel coronavirus rose sharply

The filming had already been delayed for months after COVID-19 spread across Italy, where production had been based in March, leading the release date to be pushed back to November 2021.

‘They are terrified of further delays. Tom is determined not to see any more hold-ups. The studio believes it will keep everyone safe and get this shoot wrapped up’, a source told The Sun earlier this summer.

It was recently claimed that Tom was ‘exempt from Norway’s quarantine rules’ as he restarted filming in the Scandinavian country.

The star revealed how ‘excited’ he was to start shooting the latest instalment of the franchise in a phone call with Norway’s Minister of Culture Abid Raja.

Mission: Impossible 7 is set to be released on November 19, 2021.

Landmark: Having already utilised many of the Italian capital's most iconic landmarks, the team were seen shooting near the Victor Emmanuel II Monument

Landmark: Having already utilised many of the Italian capital’s most iconic landmarks, the team were seen shooting near the Victor Emmanuel II Monument