
He’s famed for carrying out his own stunts, and Tom Cruise was hard at work learning a brand new skill as he prepared for a forthcoming film role on Thursday.

The Hollywood actor was in the French Alps, where he was taught how to paraglide under the watchful eye of an instructor.

Sporting a safety helmet and sunglasses, Cruise, 57, was guided through take-offs and landings as he sat in a safety harness beneath the enormous, wing shaped sail.

New skill: Tom Cruise was taught how to paraglide under the watchful eye of an instructor in the French Alps on Thursday

The actor was believed to be taking tuition ahead of his involvement in a new film, and his decision to train in the French Alps suggests the area may well play a part in his latest blockbuster.

Accompanied by small crew, Cruise looked completely focused on the task at hand as he worked on his posture and balance while hovering several feet above the ground.

The actor was also seen attempting to seamlessly land without losing his footing on the uneven ground as his team looked on from the sidelines.

Hard at work: Sporting a safety helmet and sunglasses, Cruise, 57, was guided through take-offs and landings as he sat in a safety harness beneath the enormous, wing shaped sail

The actor was believed to be taking tuition ahead of his involvement in a new film, and his decision to train in the French Alps suggests the area may well play a part in his latest blockbuster

Absolute pro: The actor, who is famed for performing his own stunts, looked completely focused on the task at hand

Paragliding involves navigating a large fabric canopy, traditionally made from non-porous polyester or nylon, while suspended below in a buckled harness.

Without the use of an engine, paragliders can often cover hundreds of kilometres while gliding at altitudes of up to 24,000 ft.

While Cruise didn't quite reach those heights, he appeared to e comfortable in the harness while working on his movement both in the air and on the ground.

On a wing and a prayer: Cruise ran again the wind with his large pink sail billowing behind him

Hard at work: The actor held onto the sail's suspension lines after landing on a steep hill

Here we go: Cruise appeared to be working on his landing skills, and his ability to control the enormous wing as it hovered above his harness

The great outdoors: The actor's decision to train in the French Alps suggests the area may well play a part in his latest blockbuster

Thrilling: Paragliders can often cover hundreds of kilometres while gliding at altitudes of up to 24,000 ft, although Cruise didn't quite reach those heights on Thursday

The actor is famed for doing his own stunts, notably through his role as thrill-seeking secret agent Ethan Hunt in the hugely successful Mission: Impossible franchise.

However production for latest addition Mission: Impossible Fallout was halted for two months in 2017 after he broke his ankle, though Paramount insisted the movie would still meet it's planned release date.

The studio's full statement read: 'During production on the latest Mission: Impossible film, Tom Cruise broke his ankle while performing a stunt.

Go on Tom! Crew-members looked on as the actor got to work ahead of his latest, yet to be established film on Thursday

Main man: Cruise is famed for doing his own stunts, notably through his role as thrill-seeking secret agent Ethan Hunt in the hugely successful Mission: Impossible franchise

Watch out: The American star had no trouble finding his balance as he was lifted high above the ground

It's all downhill from here: However the French Alps' uneven ground proved trickier to handle

How do I look? Cruise looked like he'd been paragliding for years as he got to work on Thursday

Tom Cruise's five most memorable stunts to date 1. The skydive - Mission: Impossible Fallout Accompanied by Henry Cavill's stunt double, Cruise leaped from a plane as it flew over the United Arab Emirates. Tnescene was filmed over three takes at altitudes of 18,000 to 25,000 feet. 2. Underwater swimming - Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation Cruise trained with an extreme diver in order to hold his breath for six and half minutes before filming the scene, which saw Ethan Hunt swap a file in a high-tech security system while submerged in water 3. Hanging onto a plane in mid-air - Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation The actor hung from the edge of an Airbus A400M during take off. Despite wearing a harness, the scene was fraught with danger as Cruise was whisked hundreds of feet above the ground. 4. Motorbike Chase - Mission: Impossible Fallout The actor rode his own motorcycle as Hunt was pursued through the streets of Paris at speeds reaching 100 miles an hour. 5. Helicopter chase - Mission: Impossible Fallout Cruise rained and qualified for pilot certification in order to film the scene. While it can take three months to obtain certification, the actor managed it in six weeks after training for 16 hours a day. Advertisement

Mystery: It is not known what film the actor is preparing for, although his next release will be Top Gun: Maverick

'Production will go on hiatus while Tom makes a full recovery, and the film remains on schedule to open July 27, 2018.

'Tom wants to thank you all for your concern and support and can't wait to share the film with everyone next summer.'

Tom detailed the nasty injury on The Graham Norton Show while promoting the film in 2018, stating: 'I was chasing (co-star) Henry (Cavill) and was meant to hit the side of the wall and pull myself over but the mistake was my foot hitting the wall.

Nice view: The actor took in the alps from his vantage point above the ground as he worked on his movement

In good company: Crew members surrounded the actor as he grappled with his sail shortly after landing

Instruction: Cruise looked on as a member of the team animatedly discussed the training schedule

Banter: But there was still time for humour, and Cruise flashed his famous smile as they called it a day

Listen up: The actor appeared to give direction following a day of training in the French Alps

'I knew instantly my ankle was broken and I really didn't want to do it again so just got up and carried on with the take.

'I said, 'It's broken. That's a wrap. Take me to hospital' and then everyone got on the phone and made their vacation arrangements.'

Cruise also pulled off one of his most dangerous feats to date by nosediving during a solo helicopter ride while shooting the film.

Let's go: Cruise appeared ready to call it a day as he shared he chatted with his crew

He's got previous: The star has taken on numerous stunts in the past, and even learned to fly an Airbus helicopter for Mission: Impossible Fallout

There it is: A crew member assisted Cruise with his cumbersome sail as it trailed behind him

Clues: Cruise's decision to paraglide suggests his new film will be full of action

Going behind the scenes on the set of the heart-stopping stunt, Fallout director Chris McQuarrie said, 'None of this has ever been attempted before'.

Tom learned to fly the Airbus helicopter by himself in a short space of time and was responsible for filming his own action scene during the dangerous flight sequence.

Stunt co-ordinator Wade Easton said: 'It's super important for a movie like to be doing it all practically and for real.

'Tom doesn't want to sit in a green screen. The audience can tell when something has been cheated.'