Following the release of 'Mission: Impossible', the future direction for Hollywood's action cinema remains uncertain.
In the world of espionage and high-stakes action, Mission: Impossible has been a franchise that's stood the test of time for nearly three decades. As Ethan Hunt and his team reach the supposed end with "The Final Reckoning," fans can't help but wonder about the future - what's next for the ever-resilient Ethan Hunt and the iconic series.
Tom Cruise, undeniably the soul of this series, has shown unwavering dedication to these movies, leading many to speculate about potential successors when his time comes. One such rumor involved Jeremy Renner's character, William Brandt, taking the reins if Cruise ever decided to retire. While that never panned out, the addition of co-leads like Rebecca Ferguson's Ilsa Faust, Hayley Atwell's Grace, and Henry Cavill's August Walker has given fans tantalizing glimpses of possible candidates.
Each of these actors has been showcased in pulsating action scenes, which some might interpret as indications of the franchise testing waters for a fresh face to lead the charge. Perhaps in future installments, we'll see a blended approach, with the newcomer handling ground combat while the ageless Ethan continues to defy gravity with death-defying stunts – a dynamic already hinted at in "The Final Reckoning."
With the storylines building upon each other, it's not unimaginable that Cruise could continue leading the films until his body dictates otherwise. But with Tom Cruise now having a deal with Warner Bros. to develop and produce films, including a project with acclaimed director Alejandro González Iñárritu, there's the possibility that Paramount could keep the franchise alive without Cruise for a couple of movies. This would give audiences a chance to miss Ethan Hunt while warming up to a new or returning set of characters, culminating in an emotional return that'd be as monumental as Top Gun: Maverick.
On the other hand, the absence of big action spy franchises could open doors for newcomers to make their mark. In recent years, several actors have shown an interest in physical action roles, such as Dev Patel, Simu Liu, and even Florence Pugh. The hunger for real, tactile action has been one of the strengths of the Mission: Impossible series, and it seems that this trend has caught on with the current generation of stars.
In an economy where audiences gravitate towards movies that look worthwhile and visceral, studios may find themselves in a unique position to cater to this demand for practical action. Whether they seize this opportunity remains to be seen.
Stay tuned for updates on your favorite franchises: Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC, and Doctor Who.
Gizmodo might cover the potential future of the Mission: Impossible franchise, delving into the possibilities of a new lead character taking over from Tom Cruise. Given the speculation around actors like Dev Patel, Simu Liu, and Florence Pugh showing interest in physical action roles, IO9 could discuss this shift towards practical action in movies and TV shows under the Movies-and-TV section. In an entertainment landscape where audiences seek out visceral, high-quality production, it's plausible that other franchises like Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC, and Doctor Who could also embrace this trend and offer riveting action sequences.
