Mission Impossible 7: Excitement builds in Derbyshire village ahead of filming at quarry – and Tom Cruise is invited to local chippy

Folk in the Derbyshire village of Stoney Middleton have told of their excitement – after a film crew working on Mission Impossible 7 came to the area.
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Earlier this year, the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) granted permission for Jupiter Spring Productions Ltd to shoot a dramatic train crash scene at the disused Darlton Quarry.

Work has been taking place to construct an eye-catching set at the site – with rehearsals, filming and site clearance expected to be complete within the next month or so.

Oooooh! Picture by Rachel Davison.Oooooh! Picture by Rachel Davison.
Oooooh! Picture by Rachel Davison.
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Pete Grafton, owner of Toll Bar Fish and Chips in the village, said there was ‘much excitement’ and a ‘real buzz’.

“Everybody’s talking about it,” he added.

“Plenty of people have been visiting the area which is good for local businesses.

“Staff and customers here have been wearing Tom Cruise masks and dressing up as the man himself – we’ve all been getting involved in the fun.

Rachel Davison took this picture of part of the set at Darlton Quarry.Rachel Davison took this picture of part of the set at Darlton Quarry.
Rachel Davison took this picture of part of the set at Darlton Quarry.

“After a very difficult year, it’s nice to see people smiling again.”

So has Hollywood star Mr Cruise been in the shop?

“Not yet,” Pete said.

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“But we invite him to come in – we serve excellent fish and chips!

Rachel Davison (right), Karen Brown (middle) and Alison Nubbert (left) said they were 'very excited' to see the eye-catching set on Sunday. Did they spot a glimpse of Mission Impossible star Tom Cruise? Not on this occasion...Rachel Davison (right), Karen Brown (middle) and Alison Nubbert (left) said they were 'very excited' to see the eye-catching set on Sunday. Did they spot a glimpse of Mission Impossible star Tom Cruise? Not on this occasion...
Rachel Davison (right), Karen Brown (middle) and Alison Nubbert (left) said they were 'very excited' to see the eye-catching set on Sunday. Did they spot a glimpse of Mission Impossible star Tom Cruise? Not on this occasion...

“We’ve been hearing all sorts of rumours – that he’s already been in a helicopter, that he’s on his way, that he’s coming soon.

“People working on the set at the quarry have been in – but their lips are sealed.”

Imtiaz Ahmed, owner of the Curry Cottage, said the events ‘will go down in Stoney Middleton’s history’.

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Peak District photographer Villager Jim, who lives near the quarry, added: “You don’t expect this to happen on your doorstep!”

Tom Cruise, pictured in Rome last year, was spotted up north last week.Tom Cruise, pictured in Rome last year, was spotted up north last week.
Tom Cruise, pictured in Rome last year, was spotted up north last week.

Planning documents submitted to PDNPA on behalf of Jupiter Spring Productions Ltd state: “This application involves the temporary construction of a section of railway line and a partial bridge structure on the southern face of the quarry, which a train will run off.

“Part of the quarry floor will be excavated to create a water-filled tank.

“During the two-day filming phase, there will be one exceptionally noisy episode – the sound of a train coming off the quarry face – which should last no more than five minutes.

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“There will also be some controlled explosions, which will be infrequent and of short duration.

“During the three-week rehearsal phase, the train will be running on the track and this will be noisy.

Toll Bar Fish and Chips owner Pete Grafton (left) with his son Harry (right) and in the middle is six-year-old Hayden Normi - or is it Tom Cruise?!Toll Bar Fish and Chips owner Pete Grafton (left) with his son Harry (right) and in the middle is six-year-old Hayden Normi - or is it Tom Cruise?!
Toll Bar Fish and Chips owner Pete Grafton (left) with his son Harry (right) and in the middle is six-year-old Hayden Normi - or is it Tom Cruise?!

“All these activities will be carried out during the day.”

The planning documents don’t mention Mission Impossible 7 – and Jupiter Spring Productions Ltd has so far stayed tight-lipped about all the exciting goings-on.

The Leavesden-based firm’s projects include Mission Impossible 7 and 8, according to the Film and Television Industry Alliance website.

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Mr Cruise – who plays action man Ethan Hunt in the hit franchise – was spotted in Yorkshire last week to shoot scenes for Mission Impossible 7, which is set to be released in May 2022.

The 58-year-old waved to fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the celebrity as he filmed on location on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

He was also seen in Pickering and a helicopter associated with the film flew over Scarborough.

Location shoots have already taken place in Venice, Rome, Surrey and Norway, and it is thought the current travel restrictions may have forced changes to the schedule.

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