Predicting Hollywood's upcoming action movie landscape following the success of 'Mission: Impossible'
New and Refreshed Take
Ethan Hunt and the Mission: Impossible saga seem to be nearing an end with the most recent addition, The Final Reckoning. But is this truly the end for Hunt?
Over the course of almost three decades, Tom Cruise has dedicated himself body and soul to these films, prompting many to question his eventual retirement. There have even been whispers about his potential replacement, with reports suggesting Jeremy Renner might have taken over the role if Cruise ever decided to bid farewell. That hasn't happened yet, but with the introduction of new characters like Rebecca Ferguson's Ilsa Faust, Hayley Atwell's Grace, and Henry Cavill's August Walker, it seems the franchise is casting a wide net for potential successors.
Each of these newcomers has had an opportunity to shine, with impressive action scenes showcasing their abilities. Whether this was the intent of the writers or not, it's clear that a new protagonist could be on the horizon, even if they share the spotlight with Ethan Hunt and continue to pull off death-defying stunts.
In The Final Reckoning, Hunt assembles his team before embarking on a solo mission to investigate a shipwrecked submarine while his comrades engage in hand-to-hand combat against Russian forces on St. Matthew's Island. This franchise has always built upon its predecessors, so perhaps a similar structure could continue if Cruise eventually decides to hang up his spy gear.
If he decides to move on, Cruise does have a deal to develop and produce movies for Warner Bros., including a potential sequel to Edge of Tomorrow and a project with Alejandro González Iñárritu. This opens up the possibility for Mission: Impossible to continue in his absence, giving audiences time to miss Hunt while becoming invested in new characters. When the time is right, Ethan Hunt could make a triumphant return, making for a legacy sequel that could rival the success of Top Gun: Maverick.
But what happens if Cruise insists on leading the franchise until his own body dictates otherwise? With the absence of major action spy franchises like Jason Bourne and James Bond, any new actor or director emerging in this genre could make a significant impact.
There is a growing appetite among young actors to delve into the world of action filmmaking. Following his directorial debut in Monkey Man, Dev Patel is preparing for the medieval action-thriller The Peasant, proving that he's ready to get his hands dirty. Simu Liu, star of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, has expressed interest in a Sleeping Dogs movie, while Florence Pugh recently convinced Disney to let her perform a skyscraper stunt for Thunderbolts. Practical action has long been a hallmark of the Mission: Impossible franchise, and it seems many actors are taking cues from Cruise, embracing the opportunity to showcase their physical prowess.
In a world where audiences are more than willing to support authentic and thrilling action movies, it remains to be seen whether studios will seize the moment and give these rising stars the chance to shine. The torch may soon be passed, but until then, we can continue to marvel at the escapades of Ethan Hunt.
And if you're looking for more exciting news, be sure to keep tabs on upcoming releases like new installments in the Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek universes, the future of the DC extended universe, and everything happening with the next season of Doctor Who.
- In light of the potential successors introduced in the recent Mission: Impossible films, Gizmodo might explore the possibilities of a new protagonist taking Ethan Hunt's place in the future of the franchise.
- As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, IO9 could discuss the increasing interest among young actors, such as Dev Patel and Simu Liu, in delving into action filmmaking, potentially impacting the future of action-oriented franchises like Mission: Impossible and others.
- With studios seeking to capitalize on audience demand for authentic and thrilling action movies, Movies-and-TV could feature a piece discussing the potential impact of rising stars like Florence Pugh on the future of the action genre, including the possibility of a resurgence in action spy franchises.
