Hollywood's upcoming action movie landscape: a post-'Mission: Impossible' outlook
In a significant development, the long-running action franchise, "Mission: Impossible," appears poised to reach a conclusion with its sixth outing, "The Final Reckoning." Considering Tom Cruise's enduring commitment to the series and the numerous daring stunts he's executed over three decades, the question looming large is: What's next for the franchise?
Throughout its 30-year run, Cruise has been the driving force behind "Mission: Impossible," giving life to the character Ethan Hunt. While rumors once circulated about Jeremy Renner potentially taking over as the lead character, such transitions never materialized. Instead, Cruise has been accompanied by a co-lead since "Ghost Protocol," including Rebecca Ferguson, Hayley Atwell, and Henry Cavill, each of whom has been indirectly positioned as a potential successor.
As the series continues to evolve, the possibility of a new protagonist emerging seems imminent, although the split between action scenes and death-defying stunts might persist, with Ethan Hunt continuing to perform the latter. such a division is hinted at in "The Final Reckoning," where Ethan Hunt ventures off on a deep-sea mission while his team faces off against Russian special forces on St. Matthew's Island.
Yet, Cruise's bid to continue leading the films might not necessarily mean an end to the franchise. He recently inked a deal with Warner Bros. for film development and production, including potential projects with Alejandro González Iñárritu and a potential sequel to "Edge of Tomorrow." Should Paramount allow it, the studio could potentially prolong the "Mission: Impossible" series without Cruise, providing audiences time to mourn Ethan Hunt's apparent departure and invest in new characters.
If such an eventuality arises, the stage could be set for a triumphant Return of Ethan Hunt, much like the success experienced by "Top Gun: Maverick." Alternatively, the vacuum left by the potential exit of Cruise could pave the way for new action spy movies, following the footsteps of woman-fronted films promising to fill the void left by absent franchises like "Jason Bourne" and "James Bond."
The interest among younger actors to delve deeper into action roles is palpable. Dev Patel, Simu Liu, and Florence Pugh, among others, have shown a propensity for practical work and a hunger for real-life stunts. Audiences seem willing to embrace the tactile, authentic thrills offered by action movies. Whether studios will seize this opportunity and provide the necessary platforms remains to be seen.
Stay tuned for upcoming releases in the "Marvel," "Star Wars," and "Star Trek" universes, as well as developments in the "DC Universe" and the future of "Doctor Who."
As the "Mission: Impossible" series potentially transitions, fans might anticipate brands like io9 and Gizmodo to cover updates on the franchise's future movies and TV shows in the entertainment industry. As Tom Cruise moves onto other projects, such as new movies with Warner Bros., it's possible that upcoming action spy movies, helmed by younger actors like Dev Patel, Simu Liu, and Florence Pugh, could emerge to fill the void left by series like "Jason Bourne" and "James Bond." With audiences yearning for authentic action and the Stars of tomorrow eager to step into action roles, it remains to be seen if studios will take advantage of this opportunity, fostering a new era of movies-and-tv in the ever-evolving landscape of technology and entertainment.
