In the new “Mission: Impossible” film, Tom Cruise and Hayley Atwell take turns driving in a thrilling car chase scene through Rome. Both actors admit that they are not fans of calling shotgun, but Atwell found driving to be the most fulfilling part of the experience. She recalls a particularly stressful day with three cameras obstructing her view while speeding past the Wedding Cake monument, making the stakes high in terms of not damaging any buildings or people. Atwell will also be returning for the film’s sequel in 2024.
Atwell’s character, Grace, is an enigmatic thief caught up in Ethan’s quest to shut down a rogue artificial intelligence that threatens the world. Atwell and writer/director Christopher McQuarrie worked together to create Grace’s “consistently inconsistent” personality. She is hypervigilant, constantly trying to survive and find an exit strategy. Atwell added her own “playfulness” to the role, making Grace a compelling character.
When it comes to the intense stunts of “Mission: Impossible,” Cruise is very cautious and focuses on safety. He would often go through the dangerous spots they could encounter out loud before getting into a car. However, they also aimed to find the sweet spot where they could feel the adrenaline rush while performing the stunts. One sequence that rattled Atwell was when train cars on the Orient Express fall off a cliff one by one. They had to carefully navigate dangling carriages, including a scary moment where Grace jumps across a car before a piano falls on her head.
Atwell’s training at London’s Guildhall School of Music & Drama helped her develop her action hero skills. The discipline she learned during three years of training helped her feel physically present on stage and transfer that energy to her role in “Mission: Impossible.” She wanted her character to look capable but still raw, so she focused on being dynamic and trying different things on set.
Atwell also learned valuable lessons from Cruise, including the importance of always being a student. She applied this mindset to her work on “Dead Reckoning,” learning pickpocket skills and undergoing five months of drift training. While she admits to being an erratic driver, she feels in control and knows how to handle a car well. However, her friends and family often urge her to be cautious while driving due to her skills.
Aside from her acting career, Atwell has recently joined TikTok. She enjoys creating fun posts and bringing a goofball energy to the platform. Atwell believes the trick is to have as much fun as possible, and it seems to resonate with her followers.
Overall, Atwell’s experience in “Mission: Impossible” has been challenging, fulfilling, and a great learning opportunity. She has embraced the action hero role and learned valuable lessons from her co-star, Tom Cruise, both on and off the set.
