The highly anticipated Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One will hold its regional premiere in Abu Dhabi In a star-studded affair set to captivate the Middle East. The spectacular event will take place on June 26 at the prestigious Emirates Palace, attracting the film’s esteemed cast and crew, including Hollywood icon Tom Cruise and acclaimed director Christopher McQuarrie.

The magnificent landscape of the Liwa desert and the iconic Abu Dhabi Midfield Terminal served as breathtaking backdrops for this Paramount Pictures production, made possible through the invaluable support of the Abu Dhabi Film Commission (ADFC), a part of the Creative Media Authority. The film’s ambitious shoot, which involved constructing an Arabian village in the desert and multiple sets at the terminal, required a collaborative effort from numerous entities across Abu Dhabi, including twofour54 Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Airports (AD Airports), and the official airline partner of the film, Etihad Airways.

Tom Cruise on the set of Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning – Part One from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.

This marks the second time the Mission Impossible franchise has chosen Abu Dhabi as its filming location, following the awe-inspiring HALO jump sequence featured in 2018’s Mission: Impossible – Fallout. Once again, ADFC, twofour54, and the UAE military joined forces to ensure the project’s success.

Joining Tom Cruise and Director Christopher McQuarrie at the Middle East Premiere later this month will be a star-studded cast that includes Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, and Simon Pegg.

HE Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Acting Director General of Creative Media Authority, expressed his pride in hosting the premiere, stating, “Hosting the premiere of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is an honor for Abu Dhabi and reflects the emirate’s standing as one of MENA’s top film and TV destinations. This collaboration with such a groundbreaking franchise reaffirms Abu Dhabi’s ability to provide filmmakers with everything they need to execute large-scale, complex productions successfully.”

The success of filming Mission: Impossible – Fallout in Abu Dhabi convinced Paramount Pictures to once again turn to ADFC for assistance in completing another seemingly impossible mission – this time, sourcing an airport terminal and a desert landscape that would truly elevate the production. The Commission supported the team by securing necessary approvals and permits for filming at the Abu Dhabi Midfield Terminal and Liwa, working closely with multiple stakeholders and government entities.

Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic, the filming took place in Abu Dhabi over 15 days in 2021, with no disruptions caused by COVID-19, thanks to the stringent protocols established by ADFC.

In addition to the Liwa sets and the Midfield Terminal, the production team seized the opportunity to film on the roof of the 742,000 square-meter terminals, home to the world’s longest single-standing arch measuring 180 meters.

ADFC’s 30% cashback rebate program further incentivized the shoot, which received support from various Abu Dhabi-based companies, specialist suppliers, 125 local freelance crew members, and 250 local extras.

twofour54 played a crucial role in supporting the Mission Impossible team, providing comprehensive production services. Through its Tawasol team, twofour54 secured shooting permits and managed applications for other essential government services, ensuring smooth and seamless production.

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One joins a prestigious list of over 140 major productions that have chosen Abu Dhabi as their filming destination over the past decade. Notable companies include Disney, Netflix, Legendary Pictures, and Universal Pictures. The city has provided stunning settings for films such as Dune and Dune 2, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, 6 Underground, and Furious 7, as well as Bollywood hits like Vikram Vedha, Tiger Zinda Hai, and Bharat.

As Abu Dhabi continues to cement its status as a preferred location for international film and television projects, the Middle East premiere of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is a testament to the city’s unrivalled beauty and capabilities in accommodating ambitious cinematic ventures.

Written by: Christine Nguyen

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