Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Jake Johnson admits he was nervous about working with Tom Cruise: ‘He’s an intense guy’

Johnson recalls being intimidated by Cruise when it came to stunt work

Elizabeth Aubrey
Tuesday 10 August 2021 23:46 BST
Comments
Tom Cruise interview

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Jake Johnson has opened up about what is was like to work alongside Tom Cruise on The Mummy.

The 2017 film was a reboot of The Mummy series and received mixed reviews from critics on its release.

Speaking to The Daily Beast, Johnson opened up about his nervousness in taking part in the reboot.

“My first thought was, ‘Not a chance,’” Johnson said of the original offer. “The reason I was hesitant on The Mummy is Tom Cruise is an intimidating figure. And especially because I had to do action sequences with him. I was like, ‘Look, I’ll do action sequences with an actor who likes stunt doubles.’ That’s not him.”

Cruise, who is currently filming the next installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, famously does the majority of his own stunts.

“We jumped over buildings together that exploded. We were on a three-story building that collapsed and I landed on my back and told him that something went wrong because I got hurt,” Johnson also explained.

“And he said, ‘Injured or hurt?’ I said, ‘What’s the difference?’ And he goes, ‘Can you go again or is something broken?’ And I was like, ‘No, I mean, I can go again.’ Then he goes, ‘So you’re hurt. Of course you’re hurt. You fell off a three-story building.’”

“And I thought, he’s not faking it,” Johnson went on. “When you see him on a horse and he gets thrown off and he tucks and rolls, his back is bruised. When he’s holding onto a side of the plane and it takes off and that wind is hitting his face and it looks like it’s ripping his skin open because it’s ripping his skin open.”

He continued: “He’s an intense guy. He is there to entertain an audience and he’s willing to really put himself in harm’s way to do it. And if you’re not all about that, you’re going to get knocked off the bronco.”

Johnson is currently appearing in Ride the Eagle, which he also co-wrote.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in