EXCLUSIVE: Mop Gun! Tom Cruise shows off his impressive head of newly-dyed highlighted hair as he jets out of London in a helicopter to resume MI filming after actor's strike

Tom Cruise was looking more like Mop Gun than Top Gun as he sported a very impressive head of hair on Tuesday.

The Hollywood actor, 61, had paid a visit to the hairdressers and had a noticeably lighter highlighted look than the darker hairdo he was pictured in summer.

Tom arrived into London by private jet from Florida before hopping into a helicopter to head to filming Mission Impossible 8.

Filming will now resume on the eighth installment – which will likely be called Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two – after the actor’s strike delayed the production.

But before shooting any scenes, Tom will need to head to the Barber’s to chop off his barnet to transform into the slick field agent and operative Ethan Hunt.

Mop Gun! Tom Cruise was looking more like Mop Gun than Top Gun as he sported a very impressive head of hair on Tuesday

Tom arrived into London by private jet from Florida before hopping into a helicopter to head to filming Mission Impossible 8

Surfer style: But before shooting any scenes, Tom will need to head to the Barber’s to chop off his barnet to transform into the slick field agent and operative Ethan Hunt [right]

Tom appeared in high spirits as he headed to the helicopter and took to the pilot’s seat.

The actor has been an accomplished pilot for nearly 30 years after after securing his qualification in 1994.

The Hollywood star was casually-clad for the outing in a navy jumper, jeans and white trainers.

Tom is no doubt eager to get back to work on the production after it had to be delayed due to the actor’s strike.

The actor was originally scheduled to return as field agent Ethan on June 28, 2024.

But it has been delayed by almost a year as studios are forced to rejig release dates after the actors’ strike.

Instead, Paramount Pictures has moved A Quiet Place: Day One into the slot, starring Emily Blunt.

Paramount has had to rejig its film release dates as the SAG-AFTRA actors’ strike is still ongoing, though the WGA writers’ strike has come to an end.

Tom appeared in high spirits as he headed to the helicopter and took to the pilot’s seat

Cameras rolling: Filming will now resume on the eighth installment – which will likely be called Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two – after the actor’s strike delayed production

Jet-setter: Tom had a rucksack over his shoulder as he arrived in London

Excited: Tom is no doubt eager to get back to work on the production after it had to be delayed due to the actor’s strike

Millionaire lifestyle: Tom owns a collection of airplanes, including a vintage P-51 Mustang fighter from World War II and a Gulfstream IV G4 jet

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One underperformed at the box office compared to the previous films in the franchise, despite Tom’s attempts to extend its run.

The actor was concerned about Oppenheimer overshadowing the film, as it required the same limited screens.

He was proved right as Oppenheimer achieved almost $400 million more than Mission: Impossible at box office.

The Mission: Impossible film series, beginning in 1996, is based on a 1966 television series of the same name.

Production on the eighth film had originally halted so that the cast could promote Part One, and then the strike began causing further delays.

Variety reports that four CEOs will head to SAG-AFTRA headquarters on Tuesday to re-negotiate.

Among them will be Disney’s Bob Iger, who recently called SAG-AFTRA’s negotiation lead Duncan Crabtree-Ireland to get the meeting set up.

The strikes have been ongoing since July.

Talented: The actor has been an accomplished pilot for nearly 30 years after after securing his qualification in 1994

Keeping it casual: The Hollywood star was casually-clad for the outing in a navy jumper, jeans and white trainers

Off he goes: Tom appeared at ease as he prepared the helicopter for take-off

Happy: Tom looked excited as he headed off to work

Lift off: This is the first Time Tom has been seen back in the UK since the strike ended in the USA, allowing him to resume filming

Strike: Paramount has had to rejig its film release dates as the SAG-AFTRA actors’ strike is still ongoing, though the WGA writers’ strike has come to an end