Following the Success of 'Mission: Impossible', what does the future of Hollywood's Action Movies Entail?
In a stunning twist of events, Tom Cruise's iconic character Ethan Hunt may soon be hanging up his spy gear as the sixth installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, The Final Reckoning, nears its climax. With Cruise's long-standing dedication to the series, the question on everyone's mind is who will step into his shoes when the time comes.
Throughout the years, Cruise has shared the screen with a powerhouse ensemble, each actor vying for the spotlight. The most recent additions include Rebecca Ferguson's Ilsa Faust, Hayley Atwell's Grace, and Henry Cavill's August Walker. These talented cast members have not only proven their worth but have also given hints of what it takes to be the next Ethan Hunt.
The film series has always been characterized by its meticulous planning, jaw-dropping stunts, and edge-of-your-seat action sequences. So, it's no surprise that if Cruise were to bow out, the franchise would likely continue along the same lines, with a new protagonist taking on shootouts and fist fights, while his successor tackles the death-defying stunts that Ethan Hunt is famous for.
In a bid to ensure a smooth transition, the franchise has been subtly grooming potential successors, using each character's skills and backstory to test the waters. Whether this has been intentional or not is up for debate, but the odds of a new protagonist taking over seem increasingly likely.
Cruise has recently signed a deal with Warner Bros., which includes developing and producing movies, such as a film with acclaimed director Alejandro González Iñárritu and a potential Edge of Tomorrow sequel. This could pave the way for a hiatus in the Mission: Impossible series, giving audiences a breather and creating anticipation for Ethan Hunt's return.
If such a hiatus occurs, Paramount may consider sustaining the franchise by expanding the roles of existing cast members or introducing new agents. The franchise could even delve into the history of the IMF, showcasing the training and challenges of younger agents who could eventually rise to take Ethan Hunt's place.
Unlike other action spy franchises, the Mission: Impossible series stands as one of the last remaining giants. The likes of Jason Bourne and James Bond may also be gearing up for new installments, but as of now, nothing is concrete. With so few big franchises left in the genre, the landscape is wide open for a new action star to emerge.
As it stands, several young actors are making waves in the action scene. From Dev Patel's medieval action-thriller The Peasant to Simu Liu's ambitions for a Sleeping Dogs movie, there's a clear hunger for adrenaline-fueled action amongst today's stars. Even Florence Pugh has made waves by insisting on executing her own stunts in Marvel's current hit, Thunderbolts.
The future of the action genre is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the appetite for cinematic thrills remains undiminished. As studios continue to explore possibilities and give actors room to showcase their abilities, fans can look forward to a new generation of action heroes ready to take center stage.
Stay tuned for updates on the future of Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, and the evolving landscape of the DC Universe on film and TV.
- In the realm of exciting possibilities, Io9 and Gizmodo have both speculated about the future of the action genre, with discussions surrounding the emergence of a new action star to potentially take Ethan Hunt's place in the Mission: Impossible franchise.
- With the growing presence of talented actors like Dev Patel, Simu Liu, and Florence Pugh in the action genre, the future of movies and TV under banners such as Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, and DC Universe could see a significant shift as these new actors step into the limelight.
- As technology continues to evolve, the future of entertainment will undoubtedly be shaped by the ability of these new action heroes to captivate audiences and fill the void left by iconic characters like Ethan Hunt.
