"Mission: Impossible 7" halts filming due to COVID-19
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25 Feb – Following the Coronavirus outbreak that has caused thousands of fatalities, various countries and productions across the globe have been taking precautions to avoid the deadly virus.
Paramount Pictures has also decided to halt its production of "Mission: Impossible 7".
According to Variety, the production crew was initially scheduled to film in Venice, Italy, for three weeks but the filming has now been postponed, as there are currently 150 confirmed cases of Coronavirus or COVID-19 in the European country.
"Out of an abundance of caution for the safety and well-being of our cast and crew, and efforts of the local Venetian government to halt public gatherings in response to the threat of coronavirus, we are altering the production plan for our three week shoot in Venice, the scheduled first leg of an extensive production for 'Mission: Impossible 7,'" Paramount said in a statement.
The cast and crew have returned to their respective homes until filming is set to begin again.
At the same time, the production will continue to monitor the situation, and work alongside health and government officials as it evolves.
Tom Cruise, star of the "Mission: Impossible" franchise, will be returning for both the upcoming seventh and eighth instalments.
The two movies, helmed once again by Christopher McQuarrie, are set to be released on 23 July 2021 and 5 August 2022, respectively.
