Post-"Mission: Impossible", where does Hollywood's action cinematic landscape head next?
In the concluding installment of the long-running "Mission: Impossible" series, titled "The Final Reckoning," Ethan Hunt, portrayed by Tom Cruise, faces an uncertain future. The action-packed franchise, having spanned nearly three decades, has hinted at potential successors for the iconic role.
Cruise, who has been the driving force behind the series, has repeatedly indicated his unwavering commitment to the films. Despite rumors suggesting otherwise, the franchise has not seen a shift in leadership, with noted additions like Rebecca Ferguson's Ilsa Faust, Hayley Atwell's Grace, and Henry Cavill's August Walker serving as co-leads rather than replacements.
These supporting characters have often been presented as foils or mirrors to Ethan, performing their own action sequences to demonstrate their potential as prospective leads. Whether intentionally or not, these portrayals suggest a possible transition, with Ethan potentially sharing the spotlight with a new leading character.
In "The Final Reckoning," Ethan assembles a new team, split into different operations. While he embarks on a deep-sea stunt to investigate a submarine, his colleagues engage in a battle against Russian special forces on St. Matthew's Island. The franchise's tendency to build upon its predecessors suggests that this could be the direction the series takes should Cruise decide to step back from leading the films.
Alternatively, Cruise has secured a deal to develop and produce films for Warner Bros., including a collaboration with Alejandro González Iñárritu and a possible sequel to "Edge of Tomorrow." If Cruise allows it, Paramount could potentially continue the "Mission: Impossible" series without him for a few films, allowing audiences to miss Ethan while becoming invested in a new or returning set of characters. This could set the stage for a triumphant return of Ethan Hunt, creating a legacy sequel akin to the impact of "Top Gun: Maverick."
In the event that Cruise retires from the franchise, several actors, such as Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, Pom Klementieff, and Greg Tarzan Davis, have been identified as potential candidates to assume the lead role. Each has shown promise and has been given significant roles, suggesting a possible transition from the exclusive focus on Ethan Hunt to a team dynamic where leadership could rotate or shift to one of these characters.
Recent trends indicate a growing interest among actors to engage in physical, practical work, following in Cruise's footsteps. This focus on realism has been a strength of the "Mission: Impossible" series, and it seems that several actors, such as Pom Klementieff, are embracing this approach. Whether studios will capitalize on this trend and allow actors and creatives the chance to deliver truly thrilling, tactile experiences remains to be seen.
Stay tuned for updates on the future of major franchises, including Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, and the DC Universe on film and television, as well as developments in the yet-to-be-announced "Doctor Who" series.
IO9might delve into the potential successor of Ethan Hunt in the "Mission: Impossible" series, as Cruise's unwavering commitment to the films suggests a possible transition. Gizmodo could explore the future of the franchise should Cruise step back, considering the talented supporting characters like Rebecca Ferguson, Hayley Atwell, and Henry Cavill who have been given significant roles. Movies-and-TV might cover the interest among actors to engage in physical, practical work, following in Cruise's footsteps, as this focus on realism has been a strength of the "Mission: Impossible" series.
