Tom Cruise Lands World Record For Burning Parachute Stunt in 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning'
Spoilers ahead: The stunt, which was performed for the scene directly following the biplane finale, featured Cruise's Ethan Hunt jumping from the damaged plane with a parachute in hand. As he deploys it mid-air, the parachute promptly sets ablaze, leaving Hunt no choice but to cut it off and deploy his reserve chute at the very last second before impact.
While viewers might assume this highly dangerous set piece was done with the help of CGI, the sequence was actually done practically in Drakensberg, South Africa, with Cruise jumping from a helicopter at an altitude of 7,500 feet with a parachute soaked in fuel and rigged to be set ablaze. Better yet, Cruise performed this stunt not once, but 16 times.
'What I'm going to do is I'm going to be deploying, if this is twisted while it's burning, I'm going to be spinning and burning.' Cruise explained in a behind-the-scenes clip from Paramount Pictures showcasing the stunt, 'I have to kick out of the twist and then ignite, within 10 seconds.'
Cruise's impressive feat landed him a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records, setting a record for 'the most burning parachute jumps by an individual'. With 16 tries at a life-threatening stunt just for one brief scene in the movie, Cruise cements himself as one of the most passionate actors in the industry, one who would go above and beyond for his craft. Either that, or he has a really impressive life insurance package.
Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise 'duds' like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3 . He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.
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Geek Culture
2 days ago
- Geek Culture
Eyes of Wakanda (Disney+) — Review
Wakanda's history runs rich and deep, yet audiences and writers have only scratched the surface with the secretive nation's handful of appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), ranging from an easter egg in 2010's Iron Man 2 , to its first spoken reference in 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron . Through the late Chadwick Boseman's ( 21 Bridges ) regal portrayal of T'Challa, as the former Black Panther and King of Wakanda, and Letitia Wright's ( Black Mirror ) relatable take as his sister, Shuri, who took over the mantle as the new Black Panther, viewers have gotten glimpses of Wakanda as a hidden kingdom of marvellous technology and culture. Thanks to the latest Eyes of Wakanda , the four-episode limited Disney+ animated series, viewers can now explore the history of the secret nation with greater depth. Helmed by director and executive producer Todd Harris, who previously worked as a prominent storyboard artist on Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019), with co-executive producer Ryan Coogler, the director of Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), the show brings viewers through the ages following brave Wakandan warriors of the War Dogs, an elite division of agents who engage in espionage for Wakandan interests. The War Dogs are not a new concept to the MCU, having been first featured in Black Panther , with T'Challa's uncle N'Jobu (Sterling K. Brown, Paradise ), Zuri (Forest Whitaker, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story ), and Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o, Us ) carrying out their respective War Dog missions in the 2018 comic book outing. Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan, Sinners ) also later verbally addresses the War Dogs by title, commanding the agents scattered across the globe to carry out a mission for him after usurping the throne from T'Challa. The War Dogs in Eyes of Wakanda are portrayed in a different context, with their primary mission to infiltrate other nations and retrieve stolen vibranium artefacts. Along the way, viewers are treated to bits of Wakandan lore, from its culture and hierarchy to the technological advancements sparked by the discovery of a powerful metal called vibranium, allowing the country to outpace the rest of the world for centuries. Like many anthologies, the show's standalone format offers the flexibility to pick and choose episodes based on personal interests. Each episode takes place in a different land in a different time period, but unfolds in an chronological order, beginning from 1260 B.C. in Crete with the establishment of the War Dogs with Noni (Winnie Harlow, Monster High ) as the first agent, all the way to series finale which takes place in 1896, in the city of Adwa, Ethiopia. Given that the time skip between every episode spans centuries to even millennia, the characters do not overlap at all. Although there is an overarching storyline of sorts, the individual narrative is loose and only mildly factors into the series finale. This ensures that viewers will have no issue watching each episode, which lasts between 27 and 30 minutes, as a standalone, with no need to catch up or do homework between episodes, making it a convenient watch. However, the format can also lead viewers to become easily disengaged, as there is little to no investment to captivate them and retain their attention. This lack of interest, awareness, or investment may result in the unintentional skipping of otherwise engaging or enjoyable episodes, which is a pity. Unlike other Marvel Animation series to date, the show is set in the MCU's Sacred Timeline, and shares some connections with the franchise films. While the tie-in to the main continuity won't affect general understanding or influence the current overarching narrative of the MCU's Phase 6 or Multiverse Saga, it does still provide an interesting look at the big picture of the Sacred Timeline, as well as a glimpse into how the Sacred Timeline maintains its integrity. The compact and punchy episodes of Eyes of Wakanda deliver snappy and engaging action sequences, with the tight delivery of each self-contained adventure fleshing out the motivations and emotions of each character as they overcome the trials and tribulations of being a War Dog. Episode 1, 'Into the Lion's Den', establishes the primary mission of the War Dogs and introduces an integral pioneering agent, Noni, in the War Dogs' history. With surety of her mission but uncertainty of her own identity, Noni will have to navigate her first foray into the outside world as she chases The Lion, voiced by Cress Williams ( Black Lightning ) and what it means for her and Wakanda. The second, 'Legends and Lies', a standout episode, demonstrates the emotional turbulence that the job demands of Memnon / B'kai (Larry Herron, Hello Neighbor: Welcome to Raven Brooks ), who's forced to infiltrate another nation for a number of years. Here, Herron perfectly encapsulates the raw emotions of the character in his voice acting, supplementing a well-written episode that does a stellar job of capturing the poignancy and sacrifices involved in being a spy, compounding the internal struggles for B'Kai. Taking place further down the timeline, 'Lost and Found' follows Basha (Jacques Colimon, The Sky is Everywhere ), a War Dog who has to thwart the Iron First / Jorani (Jona Xiao, Raya and the Last Dragon ), while retrieving a vibranium artefact. It depicts the protocols, equipment and hierarchies in place, while showcasing the sheer scale of the War Dogs' operations and how these peripheral systems support the field agents to successfully carry out their jobs. The series finale, 'The Last Panther', ties up the entire series into a loose overarching narrative, but also establishes the importance of the War Dogs in Wakanda's history and in the Sacred Timeline. With Zeke Alton ( The Boss Baby: Back in the Crib ) portraying Prince Tafari, a War Dog field agent in training, who stumbles along under the guidance of Steve Toussaint's ( House of the Dragon ) Kuda, the duo will rediscover what it means to protect Wakanda's security. This episode also cements the importance of the War Dogs as protectors of Wakanda, and to an extent, their role in safeguarding the world, often at great personal cost and without credit. Together, the four-episode adventure not only paints a comprehensive view of the War Dogs and their understated importance in Wakandan history, but also explores the different emotional facets that are unique to each War Dog, whether it's identity, guilt, humility or self-sacrifice, serving as a parallel to the progress of their missions. This nuance humanises the War Dogs, fleshing them out in a way that elevates the short series to more than just a collection of exciting and beautifully animated action sequences or an anthropological study of Wakanda, turning it into something more. Still, there are some chinks in the armour. While it's understandable that the short runtime only allows for limited character exploration, certain characters could have enjoyed more care. The latter two episodes of Eyes of Wakanda , in particular, feel abrupt when it comes to the turnaround of certain characters, who seemingly make a great deal of growth in a brief period, with Episode 3 subjecting its protagonist to stunted development. On top of that, the much-anticipated introduction of Xiao's Iron Fist falls rather flat as she winds up being a rather two-dimensional character who seemingly only serves the purpose of plot advancement. The show's animation and artwork are also beautiful, furnished in a style that's more nuanced than that of What If…?. The artistic flair is steeped in texture, deep illustrations, and a hand-drawn approach, as opposed to the cel-shaded animation of its counterpart. Alongside a stylistic flair and dynamism, the brushwork visual style is reminiscent of modern African-American artists such as Ernie Barnes and illustrator Dean Cornwell, complete with sleek animation and visually striking effects used to display the energy-displacing abilities of vibranium technology. The action sequences are seamless and thrilling, with a particular sequence, echoing the team-up of Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes against Tony Stark in Captain America: Civil War , done particularly well. It may lack the visceral impact that comes with omnidirectional point-of-view switches used in other animations, but that ultimately is a stylistic choice, and it works to great effect in Eyes of Wakanda . Is the show necessary? Perhaps not. Although it ties into the Sacred Timeline and provides some additional contextual information for existing properties in the MCU, Eyes of Wakanda is first and foremost a self-contained adventure, and fans could theoretically opt to skip this show and still not lack any knowledge when watching future projects. However, between the gorgeous visuals and the heart it brings, this anthology is certainly still worth a watch, and fans will certainly enjoy the ride. Summary Eyes of Wakanda may be an anthology, but it also examines emotional themes that elevate the series beyond a mere collection of short stories. While a standalone series that has no bearing on the MCU, fans who opt in for the ride will certainly be in for an eye-opening and thrilling ride. Story - 7.5/10 Direction - 7/10 Characterisation - 7/10 Geek Satisfaction - 8/10 Conversation with Ting Wei is like chatting with a weird AI bot programmed only with One Piece lore and theories, sitcom quotes and other miscellaneous pop culture references. When he's not sleeping, he's highly likely reading manga. In fact, the only thing he reads more than manga is the Bible, and it's honestly pretty close. Disney+ Eyes of Wakanda Marvel Review
Geek Culture
4 days ago
- Geek Culture
'Eyes of Wakanda' Trailer Reveals More Of The Hidden Nation's Elite Espionage Team
Fans of the Black Panther should get ready to pounce because the debut trailer for Eyes of Wakanda , the four-episode Disney+ animation series produced by Black Panther director Ryan Coogler, has just dropped. The Black Panther and his home nation of Wakanda have already been extensively explored in Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), both directed and co-written by Coogler. This time, however, the animated show will pivot focus towards Wakanda specifically, exploring brave Wakandan warriors throughout history, as they engage in dangerous espionage missions to safeguard their nation's interests. The show will see our heroes, the Hatut Zeraze, travelling the world and liberating Vibranium artefacts from the wrong hands. Though the trailer does not reveal any new plot details compared to the teaser, new dialogue reveals that Wakanda has been sending out spies across the world to safeguard the secrets of Wakanda. Secrets that are, as put by a female Wakandan elder, 'essential to Wakanda's security'. Though the series looks to be introducing new elements in an otherwise standalone show that will suit casual viewers, long-term Marvel fans may also be excited to recognise aspects from the previous Black Panther films and other Marvel properties showcased in the trailer. From the energy-displacing Vibranium-powered technology that is used by various warriors in the trailer, to the appearance of the Dora Milaje, to even the exciting reveal of the new female Iron Fist voiced by Jona Xiao ( Raya and the Last Dragon ), the trailer is chock-full of interesting details for eagle-eyed fans. The Lion (Cress Williams) stops a Local Defender of the village in Marvel Animation's EYES OF WAKANDA , exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel. 2025 MARVEL. All Rights Reserved. It has been a long time since fans last saw Wakanda, with its last appearance being 2022's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever . Wakandans have since popped up in other entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with a notable appearance by Ayo (Florence Kasumba, Criminal: Germany ), the second-in-command of the Dora Milaje, in the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier , but none quite as exciting as the upcoming series. With a talented cast comprising Cress Williams ( Black Lightning ), Winnie Harlow ( America's Next Top Model ), Gary Anthony Williams ( The Boondocks ), Anika Noni Rose ( Princess and the Frog ), Lynn Whitfield ( Greenleaf ), Steve Toussaint ( House of the Dragon ), Zeke Alton ( The Callisto Protocol ), Walles Hamonde ( Beetlejuice Beetlejuice ), Aidan Bristow ( American Horror Story ), Gabriel Burrafato ( The Lincoln Lawyer ), Patricia Belcher ( Good Luck Charlie ), Larry Herron ( NCIS ), Adam Gold ( Game of Thrones: Kingsroad ), Jacques Colimon ( The Society ), and Isaac Robinson-Smith ( X-Men '97 ), the upcoming series looks to be engaging and promising new entry in the MCU. Eyes of Wakanda will drop on Disney+ on 1 August 2025. Conversation with Ting Wei is like chatting with a weird AI bot programmed only with One Piece lore and theories, sitcom quotes and other miscellaneous pop culture references. When he's not sleeping, he's highly likely reading manga. In fact, the only thing he reads more than manga is the Bible, and it's honestly pretty close. Black Panther Disney Eyes of Wakanda Marvel Cinematic Universe Ryan Coogler
Geek Culture
03-07-2025
- Geek Culture
Disney+ Series 'Eyes of Wakanda' Teaser Reveals Giant Spy Storyline In Breathtaking Visuals
Marvel Studios has debuted the first teaser for the upcoming Disney+ series, Eyes of Wakanda , giving fans a glimpse into the new show produced by Ryan Coogler, director of Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022). 'Wakanda is a kingdom of many secrets,' the voiceover announces as the visually striking animation flashes across the screen. The 31-second video offers glimpses into the history of the fictional African country, showing the different great warriors through the ages. The animated series is graced by a high-profile voice ensemble with Cress Williams ( Black Lightning ) voicing the Lion, Winnie Harlow ( America's Next Top Model ) voicing Noni, as well as other confirmed voice actors including Gary Anthony Williams ( The Boondocks ), Anika Noni Rose ( Princess and the Frog) , Lynn Whitfield ( Greenleaf ), Steve Toussaint ( House of the Dragon ), Zeke Alton ( The Callisto Protocol ), Jona Xiao ( Raya and the Last Dragon ), Walles Hamonde ( Beetlejuice ), Aidan Bristow ( American Horror Story ), Gabriel Burrafato ( The Lincoln Lawyer ), Patricia Belcher ( Good Luck Charlie ), Larry Herron ( NCIS ), Adam Gold ( Game of Thrones: Kingsroad ), Jacques Colimon ( The Society ), and Isaac Robinson-Smith ( X-Men '97 ). Danai Gurira ( The Walking Dead ) is also set to reprise her role as Okoye. Eyes of Wakanda (2025) In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly, showrunner Todd Harris explained his vision of 'the interconnectivity of Marvel with the interconnectivity of history along with the interconnectivity of the human story'. According to Harris, the Disney+ series will showcase a large-scale espionage story that echoes through time, painting a thrilling spy story in the mysterious and grand backdrop that is Wakanda. Additionally, Harris revealed that the story will involve the Hatut Zaraze, which means 'Dogs of War' in the Wakandan language – an intelligence defence division that embarks on covert operations to discreetly retrieve Vibranium artefacts from the nation's adversaries. Eyes of Wakanda (2025) The production team has also revealed that the show will not only feature Wakandan operatives, but prominent characters such as Iron Fist will make appearances. With an exciting and potentially international lineup of characters that are poised to take the screen, fans can certainly look forward to a deeper and fascinating glimpse into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in a series that Harris has touted to be a 'globe-trotting adventure'. Eyes of Wakanda will premiere on 27 August 2025 on Disney+. Conversation with Ting Wei is like chatting with a weird AI bot programmed only with One Piece lore and theories, sitcom quotes and other miscellaneous pop culture references. When he's not sleeping, he's highly likely reading manga. In fact, the only thing he reads more than manga is the Bible, and it's honestly pretty close. Black Panther Disney+ Eyes of Wakanda Ryan Coogler
