“Mission: Impossible 7” gets special treatment when filming in England

New Opportunities for Filmmaking in the UK

Thanks to new special regulations issued in the UK, Mission: Impossible 7 and a number of other major movie productions will continue to be filmed in this country. Variety shares that the decision follows discussions between UK Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden and Tom Cruise about recommencing filming on the latest installment of the iconic franchise.

The waiver allows Mission: Impossible 7, starring and co-produced by Tom Cruise, to begin filming again at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, located near London. This move is expected to restore production progress and bring the project back on schedule after delays caused by the pandemic.

UK Commitment

On Friday, the British government published a list of countries where citizens can enter without having to quarantine for 14 days. However, the US is notably absent from this list. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden commented: “Big blockbuster films and high-quality TV shows are made in the UK. Our creativity, professionalism, and successful tax policies make us a popular destination. In return, the UK economy will reap significant benefits.” This exemption is part of the government’s commitment to ensure productions can begin filming again safely.

The exemption only applies to principal actors and crew members traveling to the UK. Other areas in England, including Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, will follow their own regulations. Upon entering the UK, the exempted group must live and work in a protected environment for two weeks and comply with health guidelines set by the British Film Commission.

Responsibilities of the Film Crew

The British government has stipulated that film crews must proactively research and implement safety measures in production. This includes designing skills training programs for staff working on set and in the studio. Each exempt individual must carry documentation verifying their role in the production process, including name, date of birth, passport number, UK address, place of work, and confirmation number from the department. The film is being produced in the United Kingdom, authorities said.

Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of the British Film Commission, emphasized that this news marks recognition of the significant contribution of high-quality cinema and television to the UK economy. In 2019, the film and television industry created more than $3.75 billion in value in the UK and is expected to play a key role in the economic recovery from COVID-19.

The film and television sector contributes around $12.4 billion to the UK economy, and getting production back to normal as quickly as possible is vital for the industry and its 77,000 workers. Mission: Impossible 7, produced by Skydance Media with investment from Paramount Pictures, had to suspend production at the end of February due to the pandemic.

In addition to “Mission: Impossible 7,” other blockbuster projects rebooted in the UK include Universal’s Jurassic World: Dominion, Warner Bros.’ Fantastic Beasts 3, Sony’s musical adaptation of Cinderella, and a remake of Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

The Future is Bright for British Cinema

With special exemptions allowing “Mission: Impossible 7” and other major productions to resume filming, the UK film industry is poised for a strong comeback. This initiative not only supports the film sector but also contributes to the broader economy, paving the way for a revived entertainment landscape in the post-pandemic world.