Mission Impossible 7: Rebecca Ferguson and Esai Morales trade blows as they film dramatic fight

He has already been seen filming brutal fight scenes this week with co-star Hayley Atwel, 38, on the deserted streets of Venice. 

And on Wednesday evening Esai Morales, 58, was at it again, but this time it was Swedish actress Rebecca Ferguson, 37, who was on the receiving end of his aggression. 

Rebecca – who stars in the Mission Impossible franchise as MI6 agent Ilsa Faust – was spotted alongside Esai’s as-yet-unnamed villain character on a bridge in the city. 

She seemed to have some sort of weapon, which she raised dramatically over her head as Esai cowered in front of her.

But the fight quickly evened out, and the two characters appeared to trade blows as they fought it out in the darkness.  

Esai, 58, wore a white dinner suit paired with a black tie for the gritty scenes, suggesting he had been at an event before his altercation with Rebecca.

Rebecca meanwhile was dressed all in black, with black boots and a long black coat.  

The Swedish star tied her raven locks back for maximum efficiency in the fight, and she looked incredibly focused as she fought back against Esai.  

The lack of visible cameras and crew on location added to the dramatic impression of the scene. 

Last month, Rebecca’s co-star Tom Cruise 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 last week.

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.’

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.

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.