Courtney B. Vance hid his knee pain for The Mummy shoot

Actor Courtney B. Vance was forced to walk off a knee injury while filming new movie The Mummy after having to shoot the same scene 70 times.
The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story star portrays Colonel Greenway in the new franchise reboot, in which he features alongside Russell Crowe, Sofia Boutella, Annabelle Wallis, and Tom Cruise as soldier Nick Morton.
Courtney admitted it was “fun” to boss Tom around on camera, but he had no idea how intense filming would be, particularly one scene in which their two characters are deep in discussion.
The 57-year-old reveals plans for the blockbuster shoot were frequently amended, and he had to learn to adapt quickly.
“You’re prepared to go there, then you find out – this is Tom and Alex Kurtzman, our wonderful fearless leader/director – things change,” he shared on U.S. breakfast show Today.
“I thought that the scene that we were doing we would just be sitting around talking… But it turns out it was a 300 yard walk and talk with a helicopter. I come in on a helicopter, get off it, we’re walking and things are flying around just as we’re walking and talking, all in one take. Over and over again, like, 70 times…!”
The excessive takes took its toll on Courtney’s joints, but he refused to let his weakness show: “My knee was hurting and he (Tom) said, ‘We’ll only do it a couple times…'”
Despite the painful sequence, Courtney enjoyed working alongside Tom on the action project, because the movie star really does know what he’s doing.
“He’s hands on, but he’s all about the project, so whatever it takes, whatever is necessary,” Vance explained, confessing he has no idea when Tom gets to rest.
“He’s really about helping us all succeed, so if the call is at 6am, 4am he’s in the gym, so he’s committed, he’s completely committed…,” the actor said. “And because he’s like that, we’re all, ‘What can we do to help, Tom?’, because we know, he leaves here (the set) then he goes to the editing room. I don’t know when he sleeps!”