During a recent appearance on ITV’s James Martin’s Saturday Morning (via The Independent), Ted Lasso vet Hannah Waddingham opened up about what it was like working with Tom Cruise on the upcoming Mission: Impossible 8 movie.
The Emmy-winning actress teased that her mysterious character will be have an intense action sequence with Cruise’s Ethan Hunt, which they filmed over five days on the USS George H.W. Bush fighter carrier. In addition, Waddingham revealed that she’s ready to defend Cruise against haters after getting to know him as one of the “loveliest” people she’s ever met.
“I have to say, I have a real problem with anybody that goes at [Tom Cruise] now,” Waddingham said. “Having met him and having spent five days intensely…He is without doubt one of the loveliest and encouraging, positive and inspiring human beings I have ever met. Isn’t he gorgeous? I have no time for anyone saying anything about him.”
Who’s involved in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning?
Written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning is divided into two parts. The first released last July 12, 2023, earning a worldwide gross of over $530 million. Joining Cruise and Hayley Atwell in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning is returning franchise alums Rebecca Ferguson (Doctor Sleep), Simon Pegg (Ready Player One), Ving Rhames (Pulp Fiction), Vanessa Kirby (Hobbs & Shaw), and Henry Czerny (Ready or Not).
The upcoming films will introduce Mission: Impossible newcomers Shea Whigham (Joker), Pom Klementieff (Guardians of the Galaxy 2, Avengers: Infinity War), and Esai Morales (La Bamba, Titans), who will replace Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road) for the villain role. Dead Reckoning Part Two will also include Holt McCallany, Nick Offerman, and Janet McTeer.
Mission: Impossible 8 is slated to arrive in theaters on May 23, 2025.