The executives at Paramount Studios just collectively swallowed the lump in their throats and breathed a sigh of relief.
Their action movie franchise that has grossed nearly $3 billion had a big scare.
Franchise star Tom Cruise is known for doing his own stunts, and it nearly cost him.
Cruise broke his ankle after missing the landing on a jump from one rooftop to the next.
From CNN:
Production on the latest installment of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise is on hold as star Tom Cruise recovers from an ankle injury sustained on set, the film’s studio confirms to CNN.
“During production on the latest ‘Mission: Impossible’ film, Tom Cruise broke his ankle while performing a stunt,” Paramount said in a statement to CNN.
They added that filming will “go on hiatus while Tom makes a full recovery,” but that the movie is still on track for its original release date — July 27, 2018.
“Tom wants to thank you all for your concern and support and can’t wait to share the film with everyone next summer,” the statement added.
Director Christopher McQuarrie added on Twitter on Wednesday that the star was “on the mend.”
ChristopherMcQuarrie on Twitter
Thank you all for your support and concern. Tom is on the mend and MI6 is on track for 07.27.2018 https://t.co/c4XqsEuRh4
Cruise constantly ups the ante in the films. In the fifth installment, Cruise performed a stunt where he was harnessed to the side of an airplane while it took off.
At that speed, if a bird had flown into him, he would’ve been a goner.
More from CNN:
TMZ was the first to report Cruise’s injury over the weekend after it obtained a video from the movie’s London set showing the star limping after performing a stunt leap onto a building.
Breaking911 on Twitter
RAW VIDEO: Tom Cruise injured during stunt gone wrong on the set of “Mission Impossible 6” https://t.co/8TNIoufBmy
Despite being 55-years-old, Cruise continues to be fully dedicated to his craft. It would be easy for a megastar like him to allow professional stunt doubles to assume all the risk, but he’s insistent.
It makes for a more realistic-looking product, but also causes fans and executives to hold their breaths.
Fortunately Cruise escaped with “only” a broken ankle, and the film is still set for release next summer.
After the disappointing slate of summer 2017 films, fans will have something to look forward to.