Tom Cruise’s on-set outburst over COVID-19 safety was due to his ‘perfectionist’ streak

He shocked crew members and even fans with his rant about coronavirus safety procedures on the set of his upcoming Mission: Impossible sequel.

And now a UK production source close to Tom Cruise, 58, has revealed that his outburst was an example of his ‘perfectionist’ streak and the pressure he’s feeling to deliver a blockbuster amid the pandemic.

‘It’s hard to [describe] how incredibly intense and focused he is on making every movie the absolute best possible,’ the source told People on Monday.

‘The Mission: Impossible movies are very special to him. They are “his” movies. Tom helped set up the COVID protocol. Of course he takes it personally when the protocol is broken,’ they continued.

‘In all the years of filming the Mission: Impossible franchise, no one has ever even heard Tom raise his voice,’ they added. ‘He is usually just laser-focused on filming. 

‘This movie is very different though. He has to film while making sure everyone stays safe.’

Leaked audio from the set of Mission: Impossible 7, which is shooting under the working title of Libra, was shared by The Sun and authenticated by The New York Times.

In the audio, Cruise can be heard shouting at crew members and dropping expletives after he spotted them standing less than six feet apart while they watched a monitor.

‘I’m on the phone with every f***ing studio at night, insurance companies, producers and they’re looking at us and using us to make their movies,’ he shouts. ‘We are creating thousands of jobs, you motherf***ers. I don’t ever want to see it again. Ever!’

Another source on the production defended Cruise as a ‘perfectionist’ who ‘wants others to follow suit.’

‘Tom’s whole life is his work,’ they explained. ‘When he sees something less than professional, he wants to make it right.’

Although it’s common for actor–producers to have a major hand in shaping their films, Cruise is involved in nearly every aspect of the production, even down to design its COVID-19 safety protocols.

‘He feels the pressure of how scary things look now,’ the source continued. ‘He does not want any further disruption. There is a lot at stake.’

So far, the latest Mission: Impossible installment has been delayed twice, once in February at the start of the pandemic and again in October, when multiple crew members tested positive for COVID-19 while filming was commencing in Italy.

Former Mission: Impossible actors Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames will all be rejoining Cruise in the new installment, while his rumored girlfriend Hayley Atwell will be joining the franchise.

The film is expected to be released in November 2021, months after the expected July release of his sequel Top Gun: Maverick, which also stars Miles Teller and Jon Hamm.