The National Times - Cruise unleashes 'Mission: Impossible' juggernaut at Cannes

With some fans fretting that the $400-million epic -- the eighth in the high-octane franchise -- could be the last, Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie have been teasing up the tension by dropping contradictory clues about its future.

Cruise, 62, has also been sharing heart-stopping footage of the stunts he did for the movie on social media, including discussing a freefall jump from a helicopter at 10,000 feet (3,000 metres).

He is seen jumping from the chopper high over a South African mountain range and putting himself into a high-speed spin with a camera strapped to his stomach.

The blockbuster is set to ramp up adrenaline levels and promises to somewhat lighten the tone at Cannes.

The festival's highly political opening day began with accusations that Hollywood was ignoring "genocide" in Gaza, while the conviction of French screen legend Gerard Depardieu for sexual assault in a Paris court on day one also dampened the mood.

Even Cruise's iron-clad optimism has come under stress with the industry shaken by President Donald Trump's threat to slam tariffs on movies "produced in foreign lands".

With "Mission: Impossible" among Hollywood's most globalised franchises, shot on a dizzying roster of exotic locations from the Arctic to Venice and Shanghai, Cruise shut down questions about the issue at a promotional event in South Korea last week.

Asked about tariffs and its globetrotting shoots, Cruise said tersely: "We'd rather answer questions about the movie. Thank you."

In one glimmer of hope, Trump has said he will make an exception for the James Bond movies -- which are mostly shot in the UK -- because the late 007 Sean Connery once helped him get planning permission for his Scottish golf course.

Cruise's franchise also leans heavily on London studios.

- Highly-charged -

Yet it is likely to be all smiles when the indomitable star bounds up the red carpet at Cannes at 1645 GMT on Wednesday for the premiere.

Director McQuarrie, who wrote the 1993 classic "The Usual Suspects", will also be giving a masterclass earlier in the day at the world's biggest film festival.

Veteran US star Robert De Niro will be talking about his long, illustrious career after being awarded a lifetime achievement at Tuesday's often highly-charged opening ceremony.

The outspoken Trump critic took the chance to blast the US leader as a "philistine president".

He slammed Trump's film tariff proposal -- which few experts think can be carried through without creating havoc -- as he picked up an honorary Palme d'Or from his friend and sometime co-star Leonardo DiCaprio.

"You can't put a price on creativity. But apparently, you can put a tariff on it," De Niro said.

"Of course, all these attacks are unacceptable. This is not just an American problem, it is a global one."

"In my country we are fighting like hell for democracy," he said, adding that "art embraces diversity. That's why art is a threat. That's why we are a threat to autocrats and fascists."

Jury head Juliette Binoche made an emotional tribute to the slain Gaza photographer Fatima Hassouna.

The 25-year-old was killed in an Israeli air strike last month along with her family, a day after a documentary about her was selected to premiere at Cannes.

"Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk", by exiled Iranian director Sepideh Farsi, will shown on Thursday.

"She should have been here tonight with us," the French actor said.

A.M.James--TNT