Adam Scott Draws Inspiration from Tom Cruise for Incredible Running Scene in Severance Season 2

Severance Season 2 has made a significant splash among viewers, with fans especially raving about the opening scene featuring Mark’s frantic dash toward the Wellness Room. This initial episode has already set a high bar for the new season, captivating audiences returning to the enigmatic world of Lumon.

The season premiere sees Mark’s Innie awakening in an elevator, and upon regaining his bearings, he bolts through the labyrinthine corridors of the Lumon building, fervently searching for Ms. Casey. This pulse-pounding sequence draws the audience back into the show’s intricate narrative, making it one of Apple TV+’s standout moments.

As expected, such a captivating scene required extensive planning and execution. In the latest episode of the official Severance podcast, hosts Ben Stiller and Adam Scott unpack the creative process behind this remarkable scene, revealing the surprising action movie inspiration behind it.

Behind the Scenes: The Complex Logistics of Mark’s Run

Stiller elaborated on the logistics necessary to bring this intense running sequence to life, noting it involved a meticulous assembly of “about 10 different pieces.” Scott chimed in, explaining that these segments were filmed over an extensive five-month period.

This ambitious timeline speaks volumes about the effort taken to create what felt like a continuous shot. Stiller describes the necessity of numerous setups, each tailored to different production needs. “We had segments that required green screens along with treadmills and a motion-controlled camera,”he detailed.

You know when Adam Scott running outta elevator in the opening sequence with epic cinematography and the coolest camera work is bound to be a PEAK TELEVISION. what an insane opening of season 2 #Severance pic.twitter.com/Z4IcVqSSbz

— 🍪 (@lippasbae) January 17, 2025

One of the more intricate setups involved expanding one of the building’s walls using a technology known as a Bolt arm, a sophisticated motion-controlled robotic arm equipped with cameras. Stiller emphasized the need for careful scheduling to accommodate this demanding scene, citing the extensive logistical challenge involved.

Adam Scott as Mark running in Severance Season 2 Episode 1 — Credit: Apple TV+

For Scott, the sequence entailed more physical exertion than he anticipated. In conversations since the episode’s airing, he has been frequently queried about his training regimen for the scene. To everyone’s surprise, Scott confessed that he did not undergo any specific training to prepare for the role.

“Of course I should have trained,” Scott admitted. “The real training happened on set—I got into shape just from all that running.” When Stiller jokingly suggested that Scott should have emulated Tom Cruise’s renowned running technique, Scott responded with a grin, “That’s actually what I did. For anyone looking to improve their running, just watch Tom Cruise!”

Severance Season 2 Episode 1 is now available for streaming on Apple TV+. For those looking to dive deeper, the first season’s recaps and a variety of other titles from Apple TV+ are worth exploring this month.

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