Predicting Hollywood's Action Movie Direction Post-'Mission: Impossible'
Hey there, folks! Let's chat about the upcoming chapter in Ethan Hunt's thrilling saga, "The Final Reckoning." After three decades, endless stunts, and several screen deaths, the question on everyone's mind is – what next for the iconic franchise and its star, Tom Cruise?
Cruise has been unwavering in his commitment to the Mission: Impossible series, and fans are well aware of the message he sent to Paramount – the ball is in his court when it comes to continuing as the series' lead. Rumors sparked around the introduction of Jeremy Renner's character, William Brandt, in Ghost Protocol, with whispers that he might take over if Cruise decided to bid adieu. However, those faded away as Cruise continued to drive the franchise.
With the arrival of Rebecca Ferguson's Ilsa Faust, Hayley Atwell's Grace, and Henry Cavill's August Walker, it seemed like the series was casting a line for a potential new lead – a nod to audiences about who might step up should Cruise need to take a bow. Even Cavill, until his villain reveal, made a strong case for himself. But, Cruise is showing no signs of letting go just yet.
In The Final Reckoning, Ethan Hunt splits off from his team, embarking on a deep-sea mission while his comrades engage in a fierce battle against Russian forces on St. Matthew's Island. The Mission: Impossible films have a history of expanding upon their predecessors, so if Cruise intends to push forward until his body says otherwise, expect a transition of tasks, perhaps with Ethan sticking to his death-defying stunts while a new recruit handles shootouts and fisticuffs.
But what if Cruise decides it's time to move on? He's struck a deal with Warner Bros. to develop and produce films, including Alejandro González Iñárritu's upcoming project and potentially an Edge of Tomorrow sequel. This could offer Paramount the opportunity to keep the franchise alive for a while, allowing the audience to miss good old Ethan while becoming invested in a new or returning set of characters. A dramatic return from Ethan Hunt in the future would then be a fitting, highly anticipated event.
Failing that, the action-spy genre seems poised for a refreshing take with the rise of female-fronted films. With the big franchises like Jason Bourne and James Bond potentially planning new films, and some intriguing newcomers like Dev Patel, Simu Liu, Florence Pugh, and Pom Klementieff emerging, the landscape is ripe for exciting new talent to step in.
Stay tuned for updates on the latest Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Doctor Who releases, as well as the future of the DC Universe on film and television. Here's hoping for plenty of pulse-pounding, life-risking action in the coming years!
- In a suggested future scenario, if Tom Cruise decides to step down from the Mission: Impossible series, technology and entertainment websites such as Gizmodo, io9, and Movies-and-TV may cover the potential impact of his departure on the franchise, particularly focusing on a possible transition of tasks within the series.
- As the action-spy genre increasingly embraces female-fronted films, media outlets might discuss a potential new era for franchises like Jason Bourne and James Bond, while also highlighting emerging talents such as Dev Patel, Simu Liu, Florence Pugh, and Pom Klementieff, who could take leading roles in the genre.
- In light of Tom Cruise's deal with Warner Bros. to develop and produce films, including an Edge of Tomorrow sequel, tech and entertainment blogs like Gizmodo and Movies-and-TV may report on the possibility of a future return by Ethan Hunt in a separate project, which could serve as a highly anticipated event for fans eagerly awaiting his comeback.
