Mission: Impossible for Tom Cruise as Svalbard blocks helicopter landings

Film producers drop attempt to obtain permission for dozens of flights on Norwegian archipelago

Despite his talents for saving Hollywood's ass", demolishing two chicken tikka masalas in one sitting and escaping enemy territory in decrepit F-14s, Tom Cruise appears to have conceded that some missions - especially those involving polar bears, helicopters and paperwork - really are impossible.

On Friday, the producers of the latest Mission: Impossible film dropped their attempt to obtain permission for dozens of helicopter landings on Svalbard, the protected Arctic archipelago halfway between Norway and the north pole where polar bears outnumber people.