Tom Cruise’s Daring Stunt Steals the Show at Paris 2024 Closing Ceremony

The Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony was a whirlwind of emotions, but the handover to Los Angeles on August 11th (local time) was a moment that will forever be etched in the memories of those who witnessed it. The excitement reached its peak with the handover ceremony, a meticulously crafted performance that took over a year to conceptualize and execute. Led by Ben Winston, co-founder of Fullwell 73 Productions and the ceremony’s executive producer and creative director, the team pulled off a truly remarkable feat by incorporating a live stunt by none other than Tom Cruise.

Following the national anthem rendition by H.E.R. at the Stade de France, Cruise, with a daring leap from the stadium’s roof, descended to earth, receiving the Olympic flag from American gymnast Simone Biles. He then sped away on a motorbike, disappearing into the Parisian night. The action then unfolded in a mesmerizing sequence. Cruise, astride his bike, boarded a plane, then parachuted down to Los Angeles, handing the flag to mountain biker Kate Courtney. The Olympic flag was then passed on to other athletes, including legendary sprinter Michael Johnson and skateboarder Jagger Eaton, as they watched from the iconic Hollywood sign, which had been subtly transformed into a symbol of the Olympics.

A day before the closing ceremony, Vogue had the opportunity to speak with Winston, delving into the meticulous planning behind the flag handover, the secret beach concert featuring Billie Eilish and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the unconventional filming schedule that involved Tom Cruise.

Vogue:

Could you shed some light on how this incredible visual came to life?

Ben Winston:

We envisioned this grand spectacle of taking the Olympic flag from Paris to Los Angeles, and performing something monumental live. Paris is brimming with iconic elements, from the Seine River to the Eiffel Tower, which we showcased in the opening ceremony. Los Angeles is famous for its beaches. We thought, what if we brought the flag to LA and created a magnificent event on the beach with incredible Los Angeles artists? It was an unbelievably exciting idea.

We initially approached Tom with this concept, knowing that there was no one better to execute a world-class stunt. Our initial proposal involved a masked stuntman descending from the Stade de France’s roof to grab the flag. The mask would then be removed, revealing Tom Cruise, who would then parachute down to Los Angeles. Tom, in his characteristic fashion, said, ‘I’m in, but I want to do it all myself.’ This led to the monumental plan of Tom performing the live stunt, jumping off the roof.

We kept the actual jump a surprise and then transitioned to pre-recorded video footage. In the video, Tom is shown handing the flag to the Olympic athletes, following them as they make their way to the beach, culminating in a grand concert featuring Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Every aspect of this production was incredibly demanding!

Vogue:

With the project nearing completion, how are you feeling?

Ben Winston:

This interview is scheduled to be published right after the closing ceremony, so I’m still feeling quite nervous. We have various elements to prepare for, and it’s all happening live. But it’s been truly remarkable working with such a dedicated team who have come together to make this vision a reality. I am immensely grateful to Tom, the artists, and the athletes who have carried the flag from Paris to Los Angeles.

Vogue:

Did anything particularly surprise you during the planning process?

Ben Winston:

We dreamt big, but the reality hit when our ideas were approved. Having Tom Cruise performing a stunt at the Stade de France, followed by multiple top-tier artists hosting a large-scale concert on a Los Angeles beach – how do you even pull something like that off? It wasn’t a controlled environment like a stadium, and the audience wasn’t even aware of what was about to unfold. It certainly caused some sleepless nights. We had to erect fences around the beach, and I’m praying everything is wrapped up before the passersby realize the magnitude of the event. Keeping things secret wasn’t easy; there were leaks, which added to the stress over the past year and a half. But I’m thrilled and immensely satisfied with how it all came together.

Vogue:

As a Los Angeles native, what specifically about LA resonates with you in this project?

Ben Winston:

Everyone who sets foot in Los Angeles immediately looks around for the Hollywood sign. One of the best aspects of this project was securing permission from the city to film at the sign. I still can’t believe Tom was up there, secretly, six or seven months ago. We climbed the sign several times as a team. When I sat in the middle of the letter ‘O,’ it felt surreal. It was truly a dream come true to realize this handover ceremony with such a phenomenal lineup of talent. It’s also incredibly cool that the Red Hot Chili Peppers are performing as the flag journeys from Paris to Los Angeles.

Vogue:

Do you have any other behind-the-scenes stories to share?

Ben Winston:

Tom was filming ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two’ in London and flew in for the shoot. He arrived, filmed with us, and then immediately got back on a plane to return to London for the rest of his filming commitments. The artists and Tom’s genuine commitment to maintaining secrecy around the beach shoot was remarkable.