In the wake of "Mission: Impossible", hinting at the upcoming trajectory of action films in Tinseltown.
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Gearing up for its grand finale with The Final Reckoning, Ethan Hunt and the long-running Mission: Impossible series are stepping into the twilight. The burning question now is, "what's next?" that has lingered around this iconic franchise for decades, in many different forms.
Tom Cruise, the very heart of this franchise, has been steadfast in his commitment to these films until his last pulse. Long-time fans are familiar with some of this as a direct response to Paramount rumors swirling around Jeremy Renner's William Brandt in Ghost Protocol. A potential replacement if or when Cruise chose to retire from the series. Thankfully, that never materialized, but from Ghost onwards, Cruise welcomed a new co-lead each time, including Rebecca Ferguson's Ilsa Faust (Rogue Nation), Hayley Atwell's Grace (Dead Reckoning), and Henry Cavill's August Walker (Fallout).
Each of these actors, even Cavill, has felt like Mission: Impossible testing the waters with possible successors to an aging Cruise. They have been introduced as foils or mirrors to Ethan, getting their share of action scenes to make a case for themselves as potential new leads. Whether intentional or not, the possibility of a new protagonist seems imminent, even if it means Ethan continues to pull off death-defying stunts while they handle the shootouts and fist fights. Final Reckoning itself provides a template for this, with Ethan splitting off for a deep-sea stunt while his team battles enemy forces on land.
If Cruise insists on leading these films until his body says otherwise, the series could continue building on its predecessors in this manner. Alternatively, Cruise has recently inked a deal to develop and produce films for Warner Bros., including a project with Alejandro González Iñárritu and possibly an Edge of Tomorrow sequel. In such a scenario, Paramount could hypothetically keep the Mission: Impossible franchise alive without Cruise for a film or two, allowing audiences time to miss Ethan while they embrace a new or returning cast of characters. The return of the iconic character could then become a significant event, giving Cruise and the studio a potential legacy sequel akin to Top Gun: Maverick.
In the absence of Cruise, we may witness a new wave of action-spy movies in the coming years. The genre's other major franchises like Jason Bourne, James Bond, and even the Fast & Furious series are either in limbo or rumored to be returning, leaving room for fresh talent to fill the gap. With such a void, any actor or director could potentially seize the opportunity to make their mark.
Already, a new breed of stars seems bent on action roles. Following his directorial debut with Monkey Man, Dev Patel's next project is the medieval action-thriller The Peasant. Simu Liu has his eyes set on a Sleeping Dogs movie that'll showcase his Shang-Chi training, and in a striking development, Florence Pugh convinced Disney to let her jump off a skyscraper for a stunt in Thunderbolts. This film's focus on practical work and Pugh's determination to do it all herself speaks to a growing appetite among today's stars for physically demanding roles. Cruise has always advocated for up-and-coming actors to challenge themselves and study old movies; he even went so far as to create separate boot camps for his Final Reckoning and Top Gun: Maverick cast members. The practical, real-world feel has been one of Mission: Impossible's defining qualities, and aspiring actors like Pom Klementieff appear to be taking Cruise's advice to heart. Audiences also seem eager to support movies that look worthwhile and authentic, a trait that action films often excel at. If studios give talented actors and creatives the opportunities to deliver these genuine, intense thrills remains to be seen.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, the future of the DC Universe on film and TV, and every significant development concerning the next chapter of Doctor Who.
- As the future of the Mission: Impossible series remains uncertain without Tom Cruise, Gizmodo and io9 might delve into speculations about who could potentially take over the legendary role.
- With new talents like Dev Patel, Simu Liu, and Florence Pugh eager to dive into action roles, the upcoming years could see a plethora of fresh action-spy movies reminiscent of Movies-and-TV's popular franchises such as Jason Bourne and James Bond.
- In the spirit of Tom Cruise's advocacy for up-and-coming actors and his passion for realistic action sequences, sites dedicated to entertainment news, like io9 and Gizmodo's movies-and-tv section, will undoubtedly keep a close eye on rising stars ready to create their mark in the genre.
