Tom Cruise's Burj Khalifa Climb: Fact or Fiction?

The scene in the 2011 movie Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol where Tom Cruise supposedly jumps from the top of the Burj Khalifa was nothing short of spectacle. But was it real or simply a feat of CGI? This article delves into the truth behind this iconic stunt and addresses common misconceptions.

Did Tom Cruise Really Jump the Burj Khalifa?

There has been much debate and speculation surrounding the Burj Khalifa climbing scene in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. The reality is, the movie did not depict a jump, but rather a climb. Tom Cruise did, in fact, perform this daring climb in 2011 and it is a verified and accepted fact within the film industry.

The Details of the Burj Khalifa Climb

The Burj Khalifa climb was not only a franchise-best stunt but also a personal best for Tom Cruise, a feat he has been striving to surpass ever since. The film crew behind director Brad Bird's 2011 entry in the Mission: Impossible franchise, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, broke 35 windows while filming in Dubai's Burj Khalifa. The production utilized upper floors of the building that were still under construction, providing them with the opportunity to build necessary sets and install the required safety equipment.

Training and Safety Precautions

Tom Cruise did not simply rush up the exterior of the Burj Khalifa like he might a mountain. The camera angles and precise movements required for such a complex scene were carefully planned. Cruise trained extensively on a glass wall built to simulate the Burj Khalifa's exterior. This training allowed him to get used to the harness he was strapped into, as well as the specific movements and camera angles needed for the shoot.

Given the risk involved, the crew had to be securely fastened to the structure, and over 20 windows were removed. This setup allowed the production to pull off the necessary shots both efficiently and safely, ensuring that every take met the production's high standards.

Common Misconceptions and Clarifications

One common misconception is that the entire climb scene was not real and was instead a CGI creation. However, the production broke numerous windows during filming, and the stringent training and planning required for the stunt make it clear that this was a physical, albeit trained, climb. Another myth is that the Burj Khalifa climb was just a simple act of ascending the building without any preparation. As the article explains, this was far from the case.

It's also worth noting that Tom Cruise has visited the Burj Khalifa multiple times, including for personal reasons unrelated to the filming of Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. While he does not climb the Burj Khalifa frequently, his dedication to the stunt for the film is undeniable.

For fans of the franchise and adrenaline junkies, the truth behind the Burj Khalifa climb in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is a testament to the lengths that filmmakers and actors will go to bring their vision to life. The stunt was both a technical triumph and a testament to the determination and skill of Tom Cruise.

So, the next time you watch the film and see Tom Cruise on the outside of the Burj Khalifa, you can be confident that the scene you're witnessing is a real, albeit meticulously planned and executed, stunt. The climb may not be from the bottom up, but it is a bold and impressive feat of both action and engineering.