"Mission Impossible" 5 star Tom Cruise nearly met an accident while filming and mingling with pedestrians in London for his latest film.

The 52-year-old actor was about to cross the road without looking both ways and "found himself staring down the headlights of a big red London bus."

The bus driver honked the horn and Tom Cruise managed to skip back to the pavement to avoid an accident.

"Barely anybody recognises the Hollywood actor, though one man appears to say 'you're Tom Cruise!' after the 52-year-old gets out the way of the bus," the Mirror said.

The publication noted that "Mission Impossible 5" star Tom Cruise and the rest of the crew were shooting scene in busy Central London with no advance warning. All the cameras were also hidden on rooftops or building windows to capture scenes.

The Huffington Post noted that it takes a particular sort of gumption for Tom Cruise, who is renowned for doing his own stunts, to be filming in Central London without barricades.

"Never mind swinging from the top of skyscrapers in Dubai, it takes a very brave man to take on one of the busiest junctions in the country. Throw in a load of people who have absolutely no idea where they're going and... well, rather you than us, Tom," it said.

The Hollywood A-lister would have gotten away with it, too, except at one point when four London policemen requested for an autograph.

But there's a method to Tom Cruise's madness as the source told The Sun, according to The Express, that installing barricades would have been more expensive.

"The film could book a load of extras and close a street down but this way is much cheaper and natural, the source added. "Tom shoving his way through thousands of commuters at rush hour will give a real effect of a chase scene."

The source added that "Mission Impossible 5" star Tom Cruise's running through people "will look brilliant on the big screen and the audience will feel like they really are running behind a secret agent."