Wolf Blitzer & Kristoffer Joner Interview: Mission: Impossible – Fallout

Mission: Impossible – Fallout introduced two new characters on opposing sides: Kristoffer Joner’s nuclear weapons expert Nils Debruuk and real life CNN news anchor Wolf Blitzer as himself. Though they miss out on the movie’s more active, stunt-heavy sequences, they take part in one of the film’s most pivotal scenes.

In Mission: Impossible – Fallout, IMF senior field operations agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) inadvertently sets off a global terrorist threat after saving the life of fellow IMF agent Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames). As he attempts to track down mysterious John Lark, the past comes back to haunt him as he and his team are set on a race against time to save the world from a catastrophic attack. The film also stars Henry Cavill, Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, Alec Baldwin, and Angela Bassett, with Christopher McQuarrie returning as writer and director following 2015’s Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation. 

Related: Mission: Impossible 6 Director Thinks Oscars Should Add Stunt Category

To kick off the home entertainment debut of Mission: Impossible – Fallout, we spoke with Kristoffer Joner and Wolf Blitzer at the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C., chatting about the roles they played in the film’s tense opening scene. We discussed what it’s like working alongside Tom Cruise, how they didn’t expect their scene to be quite so pivotal, and whether audiences can expect to see Wolf Blitzer take on another role in a major spy-related blockbuster.

So, Mission: Impossible is known for its big opening sequences. What sort of pressures do you feel being part of one?

Wolf Blitzer: You know, I didn’t really feel a whole lot of pressure. I read the script; they sent it to me, I reviewed it, I felt comfortable doing this little role that I had, and I didn’t realize how important and how powerful it was going to be until I actually saw the film, which was a year after we filmed our scene. And so it was very exciting for me. But I didn’t really appreciate the enormity of it till I actually sat down in the movie theater and watched the film.

Kristoffer Joner: I was nervous as hell. Yeah.

So your character is actually bested by Ethan Hunt early on in the movie, but this movie has seen a comeback of a villain. How do you think-

Wolf Blitzer: Don’t ruin it for the viewers. Don’t spoil it. Don’t give away too much.

Well, if- seeing as they have toyed around with bringing back characters, how do you think they can work your character back if they ever wanted to?And would you be game?

Kristoffer Joner: I think so. Yeah. That would be super fun. But-

Do you have any ideas of how he might kind of weasel his way back in?

Kristoffer Joner: No, I haven’t thought about it. [laughs]

Not really?

Kristoffer Joner: No. [laughs]

You have a cameo in a 007 movie.

Wolf Blitzer: Skyfall.

Yeah. And you have a little more to do in a Mission: Impossible movie. Fallout.

Wolf Blitzer: Yes.

Can audiences expect to see you in the new Jason Bourne TV series in a more active role?

Kristoffer Joner: Yes!

Wolf Blitzer: [laughs] If they invite me, I’ll look at the script. We have a whole standards and practice unit at CNN that reviews it, makes sure we’re comfortable with it. And, so, I’m happy to make these little cameo roles. It’s a lot of fun for me, and I think it’s nice for the viewers as well.

Related: Henry Cavill’s Mission: Impossible Mustache Commemorated In Cool Way

Is there something about spy movies in general that has your attention  that you want to gravitate towards?

Wolf Blitzer: I grew up watching all these spy movies. Whether James Bond with Goldfinger in the old ones and all the Mission: Impossible, going back to the TV series Mission: Impossible. So, it’s a lot- I love those films. You know, I love all the action, the excitement, the mystery; and the endings, they’re all great.

In your character- Well, you…

Wolf Blitzer: It’s a role I’ve been preparing for my whole life.

Yeah, exactly. So, you are-

Wolf Blitzer: Don’t give away too much.

Well, how early into development were you part of it? Was this something that was planned or did they come to you later like, “Wolf, we want you-“?

Wolf Blitzer: They came to me- I’m guessing it was about six months before I went out to England to film the scene. They gave it to us, the script of the scene, and I liked it, CNN liked it, and we said, “Sure. We’ll do it.”

Kristoffer, how early on did you get involved, and, like Wolf, are you just naturally interested in the spy genre?

Kristoffer Joner: Of course. I mean-

Wolf Blitzer: Who isn’t?

Kristoffer Joner: But, no, I can’t remember actually how, you know, I got involved.

Just sort of a blur?

Kristoffer Joner: Yeah.

Which sequence from a Mission: Impossible movie – in any of the films – would you say stands out to you the most, and you would have loved to be a part of?

Kristoffer Joner: Whoa.

There’s a lot to sift through.

Kristoffer Joner: Yeah, it is a lot. I don’t know. I’m comfortable watching, looking at it.

Wolf Blitzer: I would be happy being with Tom Cruise in the helicopter flying over the Eiffel Tower, jumping down, and- except I would never do that. [laughs] He does that. I’d be happy just watching.

More: Tom Cruise Already Has ‘Really Big Ideas’ For Mission: Impossible 7

Mission: Impossible – Fallout is available for digital download and will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on December 4, 2018.

About The Author

Danny Salemme
(584 Articles Published)

Danny Salemme is a Lead Editor and Features Writer at Screen Rant. Based in Brooklyn, NY, Danny studied Film at Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL, spent some time working in production on both the east and west coasts before refocusing his career toward entertainment journalism, studied Improv and Sketch Comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade in Manhattan, and is an independent filmmaker. Unbeknownst to his mother, he spent his youth watching bargain bin horror movies at his babysitter’s house.

When he’s not sending celebratory GIFs to Screen Rant’s crack writing team, Danny’s writing and producing short films and rewatching Bob’s Burgers on a perpetual loop. His favorite childhood Halloween costume is a toss-up between Mrs. Doubtfire and Jason Voorhees, he’ll never say no to making-of documentaries, and awards season is his weakness.

Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @DannySalemme and check out his interviews, published work, and creative writing at dannysalemme.com.

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