Post-"Mission: Impossible", What Does the Future Holds for Hollywood's Action Cinema?
With Tom Cruise potentially calling it quits on the Mission: Impossible franchise, the buzz has been all about who might take his place as the leading man. Here, we delve into the potential candidates and the persuasive arguments for each one.
First up, the enigmatic and skilled Ilsa Faust, portrayed by Rebecca Ferguson. Having made quite an impression as a key ally to Ethan Hunt and a fan-favorite character, Ilsa is a strong contender. Moreover, her fate remains somewhat unclear in recent films, providing the narrative flexibility needed for a possible return or heroic continuation [1].
Another frontrunner is Benji Dunn, the ever-reliable tech expert of the IMF team, played by Simon Pegg. Benji has steadily risen from a supporting role to a more central position, making him a viable candidate for a leading role. With his tech skills and beloved status among fans, Benji could easily step into the spotlight [1][2].
Not to be overlooked is veteran cast member Luther Stickell, portrayed by Ving Rhames. As the only character, besides Ethan, to appear in every film of the franchise, Luther has proven his worth and reliability. However, his character has traditionally been more of a technical support, rather than a field leader. Nevertheless, his consistent performance makes Luther a natural choice to anchor the series [3].
Rumors of Jeremy Renner's William Brandt taking over the lead role cropped up during Ghost Protocol, though it has been 9 years since we last saw him in the franchise. Fan discussions persist around Brandt as a possible successor, given his strong presence [2][4].
Lastly, Glen Powell emerged as a potential candidate after working alongside Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick. Although Powell himself has put an end to such rumors, his action credentials and palpable chemistry with Cruise keep his name in the mix for future casting [4].
To summarize:
| Actor/Character | Strengths | Notes/Considerations ||------------------------|------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|| Rebecca Ferguson/Ilsa | Proven action star, fan favorite, ambiguous fate| Narrative flexibility, already beloved[1] || Simon Pegg/Benji | Longtime team member, tech skills, comic relief| Could transition to a larger lead role[1][2] || Ving Rhames/Luther | Appeared in every film, reliable, grounding | Traditionally in support, not field lead[3] || Jeremy Renner/Brandt | Previous "successor" rumors, strong presence | Busy schedule, not recently in franchise[2][4] || Glen Powell | Strong action roles, worked with Cruise | Debunked rumors, but potential future pick[4] |
Ultimately, the decision will hinge on balancing fan expectations, narrative coherence, and the acting abilities of the candidates. Fans seem to be warming up to the idea of Ilsa Faust and Benji Dunn taking the lead roles based on the story continuity and their growing fame [1][2].
Discussion of possible candidates for the lead role in the Mission: Impossible franchise continues, with Gizmodo pointing out Ilsa Faust's impressive action skills, popularity among fans, and ambiguous fate in recent films as strong points [1]. io9 echoes this sentiment, suggesting Ilsa's narrative flexibility makes her a credible choice for a heroic continuation [1]. Another contender, Benji Dunn, has a solid tech background and is beloved by fans, variables that could propel him into the spotlight [1][2]. In the realm of technology and entertainment, both Movies-and-TV and io9 hint at a future where the movies might not always be about Ethan Hunt, with Benji Dunn as a potential replacement [1][2].
