The cast and crew of Mission: Impossible 7 are ready to go back in action. The seventh installment of the franchise is planning to resume filming in September and expected to wrap things up by April or May 2021.
Paramount Pictures was already filming the upcoming Tom Cruise movie in February in Venice, Italy when the coronavirus hit the country. The production company was forced to halt the filming of M:I 7 because of the deadly virus. At the time, Italy was the epicenter of COVID-19 outbreak in Europe.
According to assistant director Tommy Gormley, he is convinced that they could get back to work in the next three months and they would be able to meet their target end by April or May. He also told BBC Radio 4's Today program that they are still hoping to visit all of the countries that they planned to but the majority of the filming will be done in a studio and a backlot in the UK.
When asked about the complexities of the large-scale production that is normally seen in an M:I movie, Gormley said that would be a real challenge for them. He said Mission: Impossible wouldn't be Mission: Impossible without stunt scenes, fight scenes, or car scenes.
The filmmaker said they would adapt to the situation while doing the scenes that they need to do. Gormley also assured that they have a COVID-19 protocol in place and they assessed all procedures carefully to assure the safety of everyone involved in the production. He added that the British Film Commission has an "excellent" guidelines for the production companies who will resume filming amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, cast member Simon Pegg, who played the role of Benji Dunn in the franchise, also confirmed that they will resume filming in September. Pegg said they will start with all of the outdoor scenes and also assured that they will have safety procedures in place.
The British actor joked that fight scenes would need to be shot "five feet apart" because of the social distancing recommendation. Pegg said he is not familiar with how the testing procedure will be done for the people that will work in close proximity. He, however, assured that before they resume production, all coronavirus precautions will be observed.
Mission: Impossible 7 is initially slated for a July 2021 release in theaters. Since the production has been delayed, it is expected to premiere in November 2021 instead.
