Hollywood's Action Cinema: What's Next Following 'Mission: Impossible'?
Unleashing the Impossible:
With Ethan Hunt and the Mission: Impossible saga winding down after another death-defying adventure in The Final Reckoning, speculation abounds about who could potentially step into Tom Cruise's shoes helming this adrenaline-pumping series.
Cruise, undoubtedly the spine of the series, has repeatedly demonstrated his unwavering dedication to the movies up until his pulse stops beating. Rumors swirled years ago about Jeremy Renner slipping into the star's role if Cruise decided to retire, but alas, it never transpired. From Ghost Protocol and onward, Cruise has shared the spotlight with an additional leading actor, including Rebecca Ferguson, Hayley Atwell, and Henry Cavill.
These co-stars, even Cavill until his character's villainous reveal, have seemed like the franchise's subtle efforts to gauge audience acceptance of potential new protagonists. Each actor has been given a chance to shine in action sequences, suggesting they could be viable inheritors of the Ethan Hunt mantle. Although it's unclear whether this was the writers' intent, the probability of a new lead taking the reins appears high, even if it means Ethan continues to perform jaw-dropping stunts while other characters handle shootouts and hand-to-hand combat.
The latest installment finds Ethan gathering his team, splitting off to investigate a sunken submarine and engaging in combat against Russian special forces while the rest defend St. Matthew's Island. As the series consistently builds on its predecessors, this could be a sign of things to come if Cruise continues his leadership until his body determines otherwise.
However, Cruise recently secured a deal with Warner Bros. for film development and production, including a potentially revived Edge of Tomorrow sequel and a collaboration with Alejandro González Infärritu. This agreement might allow Paramount to keep the Mission: Impossible series alive sans Cruise for a film or two, giving audiences time to yearn for Ethan's return and become invested in the new or recurring characters. This return could then serve as a momentous event, bolstering the franchise's legacy much like Top Gun: Maverick did in recent years.
Should this plan not materialize, a dearth of action spy movies could emerge in the next few years. With the likes of Jason Bourne, James Bond, and Mission: Impossible nearing their ends, any actor or director could seize the opportunity to make a name for themselves in the genre.
Several up-and-coming stars are reportedly eager to delve into the action scene. After his directorial debut in Monkey Man, Dev Patel's next project is the medieval action-thriller The Peasant. Simu Liu dreams of bringing the Sleeping Dogs movie to life, leveraging his Shang-Chi skills, and Florence Pugh negotiated a skydiving stunt for Marvel's current blockbuster Thunderbolts. The students of Cruise's boot camps, such as Pom Klementieff, seem to be embracing the actor's teachings and insights and could contribute to exciting, tangible action sequences in the future.
To capture the hearts of moviegoers, studios must provide opportunities for these tactile, authentic thrills. Only time will tell whether they will meet this challenge, but audiences appear more than willing to crowd theaters for movies that appear worthwhile and "real," as action movies often excel at providing.
Want more updates on the action scene? Check out the schedules for the latest releases of Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek, future plans for the DC Universe, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Enrichment Data:
Speculated Actors for Potential Lead Roles in the Mission: Impossible Franchise:
- Glen Powell: Although rumored to be a potential successor for Tom Cruise, Glen Powell, known for his role in Top Gun: Maverick, has since denied these claims[1][5].
- Pom Klementieff: Pom Klementieff's character, Paris, has garnered significant attention for her complex storyline and potential in future installments. If her character gains popularity, she could potentially become a central figure and lead in future Mission: Impossible films[3].
- Speculation about the future of the Mission: Impossible franchise extends to potential new leading actors, with Pom Klementieff's character, Paris, being a notable contender due to her increasing popularity and complex storyline.
- In the realm of entertainment, io9 and Gizmodo are go-to sources for news on movies, movies-and-tv, technology, and the future, including insights on speculated actors for potential lead roles in the Mission: Impossible series.
- Meanwhile, prominent actors like Simu Liu and Dev Patel are eager to venture into action-packed roles, such as Simu Liu's ambition to bring the Sleeping Dogs movie to life and Dev Patel's upcoming medieval action-thriller, The Peasant. These talents, along with others like Florence Pugh and Pom Klementieff, may well carve impressive paths in the action-spy genre should opportunities present themselves.
