At a recent press event in Seoul for the highly anticipated film Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, actor Tom Cruise made it clear that he wanted to keep the conversation centered on the movie itself. On Thursday, Cruise, alongside his co-stars and director Christopher McQuarrie, engaged with the media to promote the final installment of the iconic action franchise.
During the event, a reporter raised a question regarding President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on films produced outside of the U.S. The reporter pointed out that Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning was shot in multiple international locations and inquired about how these tariffs might impact the film. “I watched this film and I saw that it was filmed in many different locations around the world, including Africa,” the reporter stated, as translated on stage. “Of course, we all are aware of the tariffs that President Trump has been imposing on overseas productions and films. So, is this particular movie under that tariff? And how much of the film was shot overseas?”
In response, Cruise expressed a desire to steer the discussion back to the film, whispering to the moderator, “We’d rather answer questions about the movie. Thank you.” The moderator acknowledged this as a “fair response” and suggested moving on to other topics.
The Mission: Impossible series has achieved remarkable success, grossing over $4 billion at the global box office. The upcoming film, which is set to release in the United States later this month, has been filmed in stunning locations such as the U.K., Norway, and South Africa. This commitment to diverse filming locations has been a hallmark of the franchise, adding to its appeal and excitement.
President Trump announced his plans for tariffs on foreign-produced movies on Sunday, but his administration later clarified that no definitive steps had been taken as of Monday morning. “The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death,” Trump asserted on Truth Social. He pointed out that other countries are providing various incentives to attract filmmakers and studios away from the U.S., labeling this a national security threat. Trump stated, “Therefore, I am authorizing the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative, to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands. WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!”
Numerous films currently in production outside of the U.S. could also be impacted by these proposed tariffs. Upcoming projects like Avengers: Doomsday and Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey are among those being filmed internationally. Additionally, last year’s productions, including Wicked, Dune: Part Two, and Deadpool & Wolverine, were all shot outside of the country, illustrating a growing trend in the film industry.
Fans eagerly await the release of Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, which is set to hit theaters on May 23. As the franchise wraps up, audiences are excited to see how this thrilling saga concludes.
