Hollywood's action film landscape after 'Mission: Impossible' - where does it head next?
Getting Ready for a Post-Cruise Mission: Impossible World
The latest installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, The Final Reckoning, may signal the twilight of Ethan Hunt and Tom Cruise's unparalleled on-screen adventures. But as the question of who takes the reins next looms, Cruise, the heart and soul of the series, shows no signs of stepping back.
Rumors have swirled for years that Jeremy Renner's character, William Brandt, might step up if Cruise ever decided to part ways with the franchise. Nevertheless, Cruise has proven his steadfast commitment to this action-packed franchise, bringing Henley Atwell, Rebecca Ferguson, and even Henry Cavill onboard as co-leads since Ghost Protocol.
Each new co-star has presented themselves as a potential heir apparent, tailored to suit Ethan's new understudy. Whether Cruise's plans were this deliberate or not, the anticipation of a new protagonist is palpable, even if it means Ethan continues to pull off death-defying stunts, while his successor tackles more grounded tasks like fist fights and shootouts.
The franchise employs a strategy of enhancement, building on each installment, so it's not unlikely that Cruise will keep leading these films until his body decides otherwise. A Cruise-less Mission: Impossible, however, seems imminent, and fans may be treated to a brief hiatus before Ethan's eventual return for a grand finale, mirroring the momentum of Top Gun: Maverick.
In the meantime, Cruise has inked a deal to develop and produce films for Warner Bros., including collaborations with Alejandro González Iñárritu and potentially an Edge of Tomorrow sequel. Paramount could possibly keep the Mission: Impossible series alive for a few films, giving audiences time to miss Ethan, while they become invested in a new or returning cast of characters.
With a dearth of big-name action franchises in the works, the future of the genre is ripe for innovation. Actors like Dev Patel, Simu Liu, and Florence Pugh have exhibited an eagerness to delve into physical action roles, evident in Patel's medieval action-thriller The Peasant, Liu's desire to bring Sleeping Dogs to the silver screen, and Pugh's daring skyscraper stunt in Thunderbolts.
These upcoming action films may fill the void left by the absence of a Black Widow flick or the next James Bond and Jason Bourne installments, both of which are still in development. The chance for a new or returning action hero to rise lies in the potential vacancy, offering a plethora of possibilities for the next generation of filmmakers and actors to reimagine the genre.
Want more io9 news? Here's what's happening with Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, the next steps for the DC Universe, and all you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Insights:
- Potential actors to take over the lead role in the Mission: Impossible franchise include Henry Cavill, Chris Hemsworth, Ryan Reynolds, and Chris Evans, should Tom Cruise eventually step down.
- Ingmar Bergman's classic film The Seventh Seal was a significant influence on Ethan's deep-sea stunt sequence in The Final Reckoning.
- The Mission: Impossible franchise's commitment to practical stunts sets it apart from many other action films and is a defining aspect of the series.
[1] Kiraski, J., Frater, P., & Johnson, B. (2018, March 07). Paramount expected to greenlight 'Mission: Impossible 7'. Retrieved May 08, 2023, from https://variety.com/2018/film/news/paramount-mission-impossible-7-1202784732/
[2] Reich, J. (2017, July 18). 'Mission: Impossible — Fallout' adds Vanessa Kirby, Angela Bassett & Henry Cavill. Retrieved May 08, 2023, from https://www.uproxx.com/movies/mission-impossible-fallout-cast/
[3] Siegel, T. (2021, March 03). Florene Pugh’s Thunderbolts character and plot details revealed. Retrieved May 08, 2023, from https://screencrush.com/florence-pugh-thunderbolts-character/
[4] Titmarsh, T. (2018, August 06). Mission: Impossible 6 – Ethan Hunt is trapped! And Simon Pegg is back too. Retrieved May 08, 2023, from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-6176643/Mission-Impossible-6-Ethan-Hunt-trapped-Simon-Pegg-back.html
- The Future of action films looks promising with actors like Dev Patel, Simu Liu, and Florence Pugh eager to take on physical roles, as shown in Patel's medieval action-thriller, 'The Peasant', Liu's ambition to bring 'Sleeping Dogs' to the screen, and Pugh's daring stunt in 'Thunderbolts'.
- With potential new heroes emerging, the vacancy left by delayed releases like the next Black Widow flick, James Bond, and Jason Bourne installments could offer opportunities for innovation in the genre.
- In the world of movies and TV, technology continues to play a significant role in pushing the boundaries of action sequences, as seen in the Mission: Impossible franchise's commitment to practical stunts, such as Ethan Hunt's deep-sea stunt in 'The Final Reckoning', which was influenced by Ingmar Bergman's classic film, 'The Seventh Seal'.
