Tom Cruise takes to the Grand Canal for Mission: Impossible 7 boat scene

It was business usual for Tom Cruise and his relentlessly active screen character as filming continued on the Italian set of his new film, Mission: Impossible 7. 

The actor, who plays Ethan Hunt in the popular franchise, was joined by co-stars Rebecca Ferguson and Simon Pegg as they boarded a boat in Venice on Thursday. 

With cameras filming the three stars from a neighboring vessel they set off across the floating city’s grand canal for what appeared to a pivotal chase sequence.    

Sporting Hunt’s black bomber jacket, Tom – who insists on doing the bulk of his own stunts – looked focused as they prepared to film their latest scene. 

In accordance with current health and safety guidelines, the crew wore protective face coverings as they tracked the actor, his two co-stars and another mask wearing assistant as their boat glided across the canal.

The shoot is understood to be nearing completion after a turbulent filming schedule caused by the ongoing coronavirus health crisis. 

In October Cruise held crisis talks with director Christopher McQuarrie 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 Cruise 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.