Tom Cruise is expected to take center stage during the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on August 11, where he may perform a daring skydive to the iconic Hollywood Sign as part of the symbolic handoff to Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics. The thrilling stunt, reportedly filmed in March, has been kept under wraps until now.
Cruise, known for his affinity for high-octane stunts, has been an active presence at the Paris Games, attending various events such as the women’s gymnastics qualifiers and swimming competitions. Speaking to Reuters, he expressed his admiration for the athletes, saying, “It’s awesome. Great stories, great athletes. It’s incredible what they have to do, the sense of accomplishment.”
The production of the Los Angeles handoff segment is being managed by Fulwell 73, a company co-run by James Corden, and recognized for projects like Hulu’s The Kardashians and Adele’s CBS special One Night Only. The segment is set to blend pre-recorded and live footage, showcasing the vibrant spirit of Los Angeles.
Originally, there were plans for a grand celebration at Will Rogers State Beach to coincide with the handoff of the Olympic flag. However, these plans were abandoned due to logistical issues, including concerns from the LAPD over the prolonged closure of the Pacific Coast Highway and difficulties in securing the necessary permits from the California Coastal Commission. Fulwell 73 has not provided a comment on the change in plans.
The opening ceremony of the Paris Games on July 26, which featured a diverse array of performances including a show by Lady Gaga, drag queens, and a parade of global athletes down the River Seine, received mixed reactions from audiences.
Closing ceremonies of past Olympic Games have often been marked by memorable celebrity appearances. In 2008, during the Beijing Olympics, Jimmy Page and Leona Lewis teamed up to perform Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” on a faux bus bound for London, signaling the handoff to the 2012 London Games.
Hollywood has long been intertwined with Olympic spectacles, with the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games’ opening and closing ceremonies being prime examples. Produced by David L. Wolper, the mastermind behind Roots, and Walt Disney Co. creative executive Robert Jani, the events featured performances by Lionel Richie, The Beach Boys, and film composer John Williams, solidifying the fusion of Hollywood glamour with Olympic grandeur.
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