Tom Cruise shot eerie night shoots in Venice as filming continued on Mission Impossible 7 on Wednesday, after production was halted due to 12 people on set reportedly testing positive for COVID-19.
The action star, 58, was spotted working well into the night in the Italian city with the film’s crew as they shot scenes around the Doge’s Palace, which had been decorated with candles.
Transforming into his character Ethan Hawke, Tom put on a dapper display in a black suit that he paired with an open-collared white shirt for the scenes.
Back at it: Tom Cruise got to work on set of Mission Impossible 7 for eerie night shoots in Venice on Wednesday, as production resumed after filming was suspended ‘following 12 positive tests for COVID-19 on set’
While he wasn’t filming, Tom made sure to keep safe amid the coronavirus crisis by wearing a state-of-the-art face mask as he spoke with director Christopher McQuarrie and the crew.
The Gothic palace looked eerie at night, especially after one entrance was filled to the brim with candles in glass cases that created a spooky atmosphere.
Tom was seen walking across the cobbled streets of Venice with a concerned expression on his face during the scene, before he made his way into the Doge’s residence to shoot indoors.
Night shoots: The action star, 58, was spotted working well into the night in the Italian city with the film’s crew as they shot scenes around the Doge’s Palace
Spectral: The Gothic palace looked eerie at night, especially after one entrance was filled to the brim with candles in glass cases that created a spooky atmosphere
In character: Tom was seen walking across the cobbled streets of Venice with a concerned expression on his face during the scene, before he made his way into the Doge’s residence to shoot indoors
Last week, Tom held crisis talks with Mission Impossible 7 director Christopher McQuarrie days after 12 people on set reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.
Health chiefs were said to be tracing the contacts of those who tested positive after filming was suspended, dashing hopes it was an isolated case.
It appeared to be yet another blow for the action movie franchise after filming was suspended earlier this year during the first European wave of coronavirus when cases rose sharply in Italy.
The actor and the director, who worked together on previous Mission Impossible movies and Jack Reacher, were deep in conversation at their luxury base in the city, days after the situation came to light, but filming has now been allowed to continue with production restarting on Monday.
And, action! The camera crew were seen keeping a safe distance from Tom as they filmed the new scenes
Looking sharp: Transforming into his character Ethan Hawke, Tom put on a dapper display in a black suit that he paired with an open-collared white shirt for the scenes
Setting up: A fleet of gondolas fitted with lamps were seen heading out onto the waterways for the shoot
In October The Sun reported 150 extras for the film were informed they were not to come in to shoot scenes that were on the filming schedule for the evening.
While no official reason was given for the sudden decision, it was claimed a coronavirus test had come back positive from the production so filming needed to be suspended temporarily.
A source speaking to the publication claimed: ‘There are about 150 extras involved in the filming and late on Thursday they were all told not to turn up for work and they would be notified when they would be allowed back on set.
‘No official reason has been given but it’s feared it’s down to COVID and this will be the second time the production has been hit because of the virus.’
Great location: The Doge’s palace and the streets of Venice provide the backdrop for the next chapter in the franchise
Preparations: A crane fitted with a bright light was being used to brighten the streets as filming began around the palace
Crew also urged members of the public to remain socially distanced from one another as they waited to see the stars, while Tom and director Christopher are also said to have made the request.
Shortly after, The Sun reported that health chiefs were tracing contacts of at least 12 people who tested positive from the set after filming was suspended, dashing hopes it was an isolated case.
MailOnline contacted Paramount Pictures and Tom Cruise’s representatives for comment at the time.
Filming was suspended in Venice after the first case emerged but producers hoped it would be an isolated case, and they planned for shooting to start again late last month.
Crisis talks: Last week, Tom (pictured in October) held crisis talks with his Mission Impossible 7 director days after 12 people on set reportedly tested positive for COVID-19
Outbreak: Health chiefs were said to be tracing the contacts of those who tested positive after filming was suspended, but production has now been allowed to resume as of Monday
A health official said at the time: ‘It is important that we track and trace all of the contacts of these people to keep the infection under control.’
The Sun reported sets were seen being dismantled in the city’s Palazzo Ducale after the incident, however filming has now begun to take place once more.
Earlier this year, filming for the upcoming action movie was halted in Italy after cases of coronavirus rose sharply.
Delays: In October, it was reported 150 extras for the film were informed they were not to come in to shoot scenes that were on the filming schedule for the evening (Tom and co-star Hayley Atwell pictured in Rome)
The crew and actors headed to Norway to film ever since, before returning to the Italian capital to continue with scenes once it was safe to do so.
It was reported this summer that Hollywood legend Tom hired a £500,000 ship for the film’s crew in Norway to avoid any coronavirus-related delays.
The filming had already been delayed for months after COVID-19 spread across Italy, where production had been based in March, leading the release date to be pushed back to November 2021.
‘They are terrified of further delays. Tom is determined not to see any more hold-ups. The studio believes it will keep everyone safe and get this shoot wrapped up’, a source told The Sun earlier this summer.
Frustrating: Filming was already delayed for months after COVID-19 spread across Italy, where production had been based in March, leading the release to be pushed to November 2021
It was recently claimed that Tom was ‘exempt from Norway’s quarantine rules’ as he restarted filming in the Scandinavian country.
The media personality revealed how ‘excited’ he was to start shooting the latest instalment of the franchise in a phone call with Norway’s Minister of Culture Abid Raja.
Simon stars as IMF technician Benji Dunn in the Mission Impossible franchise, reprising his role for the fifth time in the much-anticipated upcoming movie
Mission Impossible 7 will be released on November 19, 2021.
Delays: The film is scheduled for released on November 19 2021