Post-'Mission: Impossible': Predicting Action Cinema's Forward Trajectory in the Film Industry
In the realm of action-packed espionage, the curtain may well and truly be closing on Mission: Impossible and Ethan Hunt, with The Final Reckoning potentially signaling the end of the road for the iconic character. But as the franchise enters its twilight, the question swimming through the minds of fans old and new is, "who's next?"
Tom Cruise, the franchise's lifeblood, has sworn undying loyalty to this high-octane series, and his unwavering dedication has more than earned him the title of the beating heart of Mission: Impossible. Yet, whispers of succession have echoed through the studio halls for years, their murmurs amplified by the casting of Jeremy Renner as William Brandt in Ghost Protocol. Speculations of Renner's ascension to the lead role were rife, but they faded with his departure due to scheduling conflicts.
Since then, new faces have been added to the franchise, each a potential candidate to take the mantle from Cruise when the time comes. Rebecca Ferguson's Ilsa Faust, introduced in Rogue Nation, piqued the interest of fans with her mirror-like reflection of Ethan, and Hayley Atwell's Grace, Henry Cavill's August Walker, and even Glen Powell have all made their respective plays. These stars have been introduced as challengers to Ethan, their stunts and action scenes designed to impress audiences, proving that they have what it takes to lead the series.
Whether this has been a deliberate move by the writers or not, the possibility of a new protagonist stepping into the limelight feels increasingly tantalizing. Perhaps they'll handle the shootouts and hand-to-hand combat while Ethan continues to push the limits with his death-defying stunts, as The Final Reckoning has already demonstrated.
If Cruise opts to move on, Paramount may choose to keep Mission: Impossible alive without him, giving audiences time to miss Ethan and gradually grow attached to a new or returning cast. Then, when the time is right, the long-awaited return could serve as the perfect legacy sequel, mirroring the success of Top Gun: Maverick.
Failing that, we may find ourselves surrounded by a plethora of new action-spy movies in the coming years, as the void left by a possible absence of Jason Bourne, James Bond, and Mission: Impossible is filled by eager and talented newcomers. Three potential successors to watch are Dev Patel, Simu Liu, and Florence Pugh, each of whom has displayed a hunger for the gritty, practical craftsmanship that has always been a cornerstone of Mission: Impossible.
As we turn the page and the future unfolds, the question remains: who will step up to become the next Ethan Hunt? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—the most daring, death-defying stunts and electrifying action sequences are yet to come.
Gizmodo and io9, in their discussion of technology and entertainment, have highlighted the potential future of action-spy movies, noting the emerging candidates to succeed Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible series. They propose Dev Patel, Simu Liu, and Florence Pugh as possible successors, drawing comparisons to the action-packed scenes and practical craftsmanship reminiscent of the Mission: Impossible franchise. Meanwhile, Movies-and-TV reflects on the impending departure of Cruise, observing that a potential absence of Jason Bourne, James Bond, and Mission: Impossible could lead to an influx of new action-spy movies, showcasing the talents of eager and capable newcomers.
