Rebecca Ferguson labels Tom Cruise a “man-child” and opens up about the unpredictable nature of working with the Hollywood star on the Mission: Impossible films.
Rebecca Ferguson, who starred alongside Tom Cruise in three Mission: Impossible movies, has opened up about what it was really like working with the Hollywood icon, revealing a mix of unpredictable moments and chaotic on-set behavior. The actress, who portrayed the fan-favorite character Ilsa Faust, described Cruise as a “man-child,” but in a way that she says brings energy and excitement to the set.
Behind the Scenes Chaos
Ferguson, 41, joined the Mission: Impossible franchise in 2015 with Rogue Nation and continued her role in the subsequent films. But according to the Swedish actress, working alongside Cruise was far from the smooth ride one might expect from a major blockbuster production. She described a process where the cast and crew often had no idea what would happen from one day to the next.
“You don’t have scripts and have no idea where it’s going to go,” Ferguson shared with The Times. She further explained the frustration of preparing for elaborate stunts over the course of months, only for scenes to be suddenly cut with little warning.
The unpredictability of production, combined with Cruise’s boundless energy, created a whirlwind environment. “He’s a man-child in a good way,” Ferguson said, jokingly adding, “I often joke that there’s someone with a tranquilliser gun and a net looking for him.”
Cruise’s Relentless Energy
Ferguson went on to recount one particular chaotic moment on set. “It’s frustrating because you’re ready to shoot and the sun’s going down. Tom goes, ‘What are we waiting for?’ and I go, ‘You!’ He laughs and says, ‘F**k, I’m sorry,’” she remembered. Despite these stressful moments, Ferguson never denied the magnetism that Cruise brought to the set, noting that his infectious enthusiasm helped lift the spirits of the entire crew, even when things were falling apart around them.
Ferguson’s Departure from Mission: Impossible
Ferguson’s character, Ilsa Faust, came to a dramatic end in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, a decision that Ferguson herself supported. “There was nothing more to do with Ilsa,” she explained. “It felt like the right moment to move on.”
Since leaving the Mission: Impossible franchise, Ferguson has set her sights on new projects, including teaming up with Steven Knight for the upcoming film The Immortal Man. But she’s also turned her attention to the James Bond franchise, expressing a desire to play the iconic series’ first female villain.
“I would have been pushing to play the baddie,” Ferguson said. “We haven’t had a female Bond villain.” She even shared that she had floated the idea with Denis Villeneuve, who is reportedly lined up to direct the next Bond installment, saying, “I already said that to Denis – ‘female Bond villain, b***h.’”
Cruise’s Influence and Legacy
While Ferguson has moved on from the Mission: Impossible franchise, her experiences working with Tom Cruise have left an undeniable impact. Cruise’s commitment to his role and his relentless drive have shaped not just the Mission: Impossible series, but the entire action movie genre.
Despite the chaotic environment Ferguson described, it’s clear that Cruise’s energy, though often overwhelming, plays a significant role in the success of his films.
