Hollywood Action's Ensuing Direction After 'Mission: Impossible'?
In an era where Ethan Hunt and the Mission: Impossible franchise have seen a 30-year run, countless on-screen deaths, and a plethora of death-defying stunts, we're approaching a finale with The Final Reckoning. The question on everyone's mind is: what's next?
Ever since Tom Cruise stepped onto the scene, he's been the lifeblood of the series. Through the years, he's repeatedly demonstrated his unwavering commitment to these movies, even amid rumors of his potential replacement. With Jeremy Renner's initial casting as William Brandt for Ghost Protocol, whispers swirled about Renner wanting to take over as the lead if Cruise decided to retire. Although that didn't come to pass, Cruise has had additional stars by his side as co-leads since Ghost Protocol, including Rebecca Ferguson, Hayley Atwell, and Henry Cavill.
The entire crew serves as a nod towards potential successors, with each character getting their chance to shine through impressive stunts and action scenes. Whether it's the writers' intent or not, the chances of a new protagonist stepping in seem likely, as Cruise enters his golden years. This approach, with an older Ethan Hunt continuing to pull off impossible feats while a newcomer handles shootouts and fist fights, seems to be the direction the franchise is heading in.
As Ethan assembles his latest team, he splits off to investigate a deep-sea shipwrecked submarine while the rest of the team battles Russian special forces on St. Matthew's Island. This promising setup paves the way for potential continuation if Cruise continues leading the movies until his body dictates otherwise.
Alternatively, Cruise has recently secured a deal to develop and produce films for Warner Bros., including projects with Alejandro González Iñárritu and an Edge of Tomorrow sequel. In the event that he allows it, Paramount could continue the Mission: Impossible franchise without him, giving audiences some space to miss Ethan Hunt while they grow attached to new or returning characters. This would set the stage for a grand return, much like the profound impact Top Gun: Maverick had recently.
In the absence of big action spy movie franchises, there's a noticeable vacuum for directors and actors to take the spotlight. Several actors, like Dev Patel, Simu Liu, and Florence Pugh, have shown a growing appetite for action roles. These stars, inspired by Cruise's dedication to physical work, are eager to demonstrate their prowess. The current trend towards practical work and real-life thrills could open up opportunities for new action movies to captivate audiences. It remains to be seen if studios are willing to support these projects and offer actors and creators the necessary platforms to showcase their talent.
Other potential franchises in the works include woman-fronted action films and possible new installments for the Jason Bourne and James Bond series. So stay tuned as we unravel the secrets of the future of Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, the DC Universe, and Doctor Who.
- Gizmodo might explore the potential implications of a new Mission: Impossible protagonist arising, given Tom Cruise's advancing years and the increasing presence of auxiliary stars like Rebecca Ferguson, Hayley Atwell, and Henry Cavill.
- Io9 could discuss the prospect of upcoming action films, inspired by Tom Cruise's dedication to physical stunts, featuring stars like Dev Patel, Simu Liu, and Florence Pugh, taking the spotlight in a post-Ethan Hunt era.
- Movies-and-TV entertainment outlets could speculate on the future of action franchises, discussing the possibility of new woman-led action films, potential Jason Bourne sequels, or the return of James Bond, following the finale of the Mission: Impossible series.
