Post-"Mission: Impossible", What Does the Future Hold for Hollywood's Action Cinema?
In the world of blockbuster action franchises, the looming question has always been: What's next for Tom Cruise and Mission: Impossible? After three decades, numerous on-screen deaths, and a host of daring stunts, Mission: Impossible is approaching an end with The Final Reckoning. As speculation mounts about the franchise's future, six-time box office juggernaut Cruise stands firm in his commitment to the series.
The franchise's longevity has been a testament to Cruise's enduring appeal, but the question of a successor has lingered for years. Following the addition of Rebecca Ferguson, Hayley Atwell, and Henry Cavill as co-leads, there has been an unspoken hint that these characters could potentially step into the lead role should Cruise decide to step down. However, these artists have so far performed more as foils or mirrors to Cruise's Ethan Hunt, further fueling speculation about upcoming changes.
The Final Reckoning follows Ethan Hunt as he assembles his team, splits off for a deep-sea stunt to investigate a sunken submarine, while the rest of his team faces off against Russian special forces on St. Matthew's Island. This approach, seen as a possible way forward if Cruise wishes to remain in the lead, allows for the potential introduction of a new protagonist who may take on more conventional tasks while Cruise continues to execute death-defying stunts.
Meanwhile, Cruise has inked a deal to develop and produce films for Warner Bros., including a movie with acclaimed director Alejandro González Iñárritu and a potential Edge of Tomorrow sequel. If allowed, this could provide an opportunity for Paramount to carry on the Mission: Impossible series without Cruise for one or two films, giving audiences time to miss Ethan Hunt and become invested in new or returning characters. The eventual return of Ethan Hunt could then be recast as a significant event, similar to the reception granted to Top Gun: Maverick.
Without Tom Cruise, action spy movies may see a surge of new talent. Fresh faces like Dev Patel and Simu Liu are already gearing up for roles in action-thrillers, while Florence Pugh's determination to perform her own stunts in Marvel's Thunderbolts exemplifies the desire among current stars for more physical, 'real' action work. Whether studios will seize this opportunity and allow these actors to shine remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the future of action movies is promising, with stars like Michael B. Jordan poised to take on major franchises and lead large-scale action productions.
Gizmodo and io9 have discussed the potential future of the action genre, suggesting that the end of Tom Cruise's Mission: Impossible run could pave the way for new stars like Dev Patel and Simu Liu. With Florence Pugh pushing for more physical action roles, the way for a new wave of action movie talent might finally be open. As the entertainment world waits to see if studios will capitalize on this opportunity, Michael B. Jordan is primed to lead major franchises and large-scale action productions, indicating a promising future for this genre on the Movies-and-TV landscape.
