Even though actors like Tom Holland, 28, Charlize Theron, 48, and Harrison Ford, 81, have done stunt work, Cruise’s feats continue to steal the spotlight – and are now stressing out his backers.
Skydance CEO David Ellison said Cruise once demanded a production fire an insurer that refused to cover his skyscraper-hanging stunt in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.
The lengths producers go to accommodate Cruise’s ambitions are matched by their costs.
Marc Idelson, CEO of Reel Media, explained a production package of insurance – which covers cast, property damage, sets and more – typically ranges from 1 percent to 2.5 percent of a film’s budget.
Unraveling the exact value of Cruise’s bill is a nightmare as his stunts have an impact on every part of the production – from timing to having go have safety crews and a doctor on set.
But on a film like his Dead Reckoning, with a reported $291million budget, it could mean premiums of $2.9million to $4.4million.
Tim O’Hair, a producer and film executive who teaches at Chapman University, emphasized when stars such as Cruise are contractually listed as “essential elements” insurance premiums skyrocket.
He said: “Getting an essential element insured can lead to an increased cost for underwriting, as the picture cannot be delivered without the named element.”
