Tom Cruise choppering in Mission: Impossible crew while chaos unfolds below could be a scene from the blockbuster movie itself, insiders said last night.
The enterprising star, 61, went into crisis mode as the M25 closes for an entire weekend for the first time. Tom Cruise has used choppers to fly in cast and crew for filming as the M25 is closed. Filming of his eighth spy flick is taking place near the five-mile stretch between junctions 10 and 11 which was shut from 9pm last night.
National Highways chief Jonathan Wade urged motorists to “play in the garden” or “decorate the bathroom” while work is carried out. But that is not an option for qualified flier Tom, 61, who is desperate to keep shooting Mission: Impossible 8 at Surrey’s Longcross Studios after being dogged by delays.
The helipad at Battersea, South West London, is among those readied for affected cast and crew. A source said last night: “The M25 closure is a headache for most people but not for Tom. He is so keen to keep Mission: Impossible 8 in production that he’s got helicopters on standby in London to fly his crew over to Longcross.
“It sounds excessive but delaying work on the film is a bigger problem and Tom is such a professional – he’d move heaven and earth to keep the show on the road.
“Staff on the movie or stars who are needed for filming have been told if they can’t get to Longcross because of the M25 closures they’ll be flown in by chopper.
“It’s a feat that is just like a scene out of one of Tom’s films.”
The star who plays field agent Ethan Hunt and performs his own stunts, was filming last week in Derbyshire along with co-stars Simon Pegg and Hayley Atwell. The latest film was due to hit cinemas this summer but has been delayed by almost a year because of the Hollywood actors’ strikes.
Travel hell is predicted as the M25 closes for a whole weekend for the first time since London’s orbital motorway opened in 1986. A bridge is being demolished and a gantry installed, the first of five major planned works.
The affected section between J10 and J11 will not open again until 6am on Monday. Drivers have been warned to expect delays of up to five hours on surrounding roads. Company lead Wade warned: “Avoid the area totally if you can.
“Either avoid travelling completely and find something to do at home, decorate the bathroom or play in the garden. If you must go, travel by train, walk, use your bicycle. If you can, avoid driving anywhere around those diversionary routes.”
More closures are expected between May and December.