By: Nick Gambino
In a move many of us would deem “impossible,” Tom Cruise is teaming up with NASA and SpaceX (Elon Musk) to film a movie in space. The yet-to-be-announced project will see the actor traveling to the actual International Space Station to shoot, and in doing so, make history.
“NASA is excited to work with Tom Cruise on a film aboard the Space Station,” NASA Administrator, Jim Bridenstine, said in a tweet. “We need popular media to inspire a new generation of engineers and scientists to make NASA’s ambitious plans a reality.”
NASA is excited to work with @TomCruise on a film aboard the @Space_Station! We need popular media to inspire a new generation of engineers and scientists to make @NASA’s ambitious plans a reality. pic.twitter.com/CaPwfXtfUv
— Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) May 5, 2020
In a less detailed tweet, Elon Musk simply said, “Should be a lot of fun!”
Should be a lot of fun!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 5, 2020
There’s no word yet on how Musk and his privately-owned space exploration company, SpaceX, will factor into the project. If I were to take a guess, I’d say SpaceX will be responsible for delivering Cruise to the International Space Station where NASA will then take over.
Cruise is known for testing the limits of what’s possible, risking his life to catch something jaw-dropping on film. Whether he’s hanging off the side of an airplane as it takes off or scaling the side of the tallest building in the world, he constantly shatters the glass ceiling of reality.
The movie star adheres to the classic definition of filmmaking, opting for practical, in-camera shots, instead of using green scene. While it’s easy to think of Cruise as a mega-action star a la Dwyane “The Rock” Johnson, he’s more akin to silent film stars like Harold Lloyd, who would risk life and limb for a thrilling shot.
Cruise is returning to his role as Maverick in the upcoming Top Gun: Maverick, the sequel to the 1986 movie that launched him to A-list stardom. The fighter jet-themed Top Gun, like this new space-themed movie, had its hand in inspiring people, albeit that one was still confined to this planet.
Again, we don’t know what this new movie is about, though it’s been confirmed that it won’t be a Mission: Impossible film.
