During the filming of Mission: Impossible 7 last summer, rumors spread like wildfire, suggesting that Tom Cruise and Hayley Atwell were romantically involved. However, Atwell recently made it abundantly clear that their relationship is purely platonic, especially after announcing her engagement to actor Ned Wolfgang Kelly, whom she was linked to in the past. As the release of Dead Reckoning Part One approaches, slated for the 2023 movie schedule, Atwell took to Instagram to share a photo of herself and the franchise’s leading man, seemingly holding hands.
In early May, Atwell directly addressed the dating rumors surrounding her and Cruise in an interview with Country & Townhouse. She acknowledged that she was aware of the discussions surrounding her and her co-star but asserted that their connection was rooted in a deep friendship. Atwell expressed her gratitude for Cruise’s support and his ability to make her feel safe on set, stating that he would reassure her that people will say whatever they want, but their own understanding of their relationship is what truly matters. She went on to express her admiration for Cruise, the film’s director Christopher McQuarrie, and the entire Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One team, emphasizing the power of platonic love and her genuine affection for the people involved in the project.
Despite the fact that Atwell had previously auditioned for a role in Jack Reacher and could have collaborated with Cruise earlier, Mission: Impossible 7 marked their first on-screen collaboration. She has been open about her experiences working with Cruise and the challenges involved in filming an epic action movie, including the numerous delays encountered during the production of Mission Impossible 7 and its sequel. As the cast prepares for the release of Dead Reckoning, Atwell took to social media to share a lighthearted photo from the set, showcasing her and Cruise in a close embrace during an action-packed sequence.
I felt like if I ever was worried about it, I could talk to him [Tom]. And I know that he would’ve said, ‘People say whatever they want to say, but you know who you are, I know who I am and I want you to feel safe in this environment.’
What I feel is the truly extraordinary power of platonic love, which seems to be sometimes under-represented. And my love for Tom, my love for McQuarrie, my love for the process of this [Mission], and also the people who they keep very close to them and who are very present on set, has a wholesomeness to it. That for me, I just found so beautiful, so, yeah, I can freely say ‘I love this group of people.’
In anticipation of the movie’s premiere on July 12, Hayley Atwell treated her Instagram followers to a sneak peek by posting a new still from Mission: Impossible 7. The image features the actress, known for her role as Peggy Carter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, handcuffed to Tom Cruise, their hands clasped together. This particular scene has garnered attention before, as Atwell highlighted the fact that she, too, had to perform daring stunts alongside Cruise. In addition to learning how to drift race, she executed a backflip over a bridge, leaped off a moving train, and even ran uphill in high heels while handcuffed to the charismatic Top Gun: Maverick star.
