Tom Cruise's Departure Looms: Who Might Step Up in the Mission: Impossible Universe?
What lies ahead for Hollywood's action movie landscape post 'Mission: Impossible'?
With a whopping 30 years, three on-screen deaths, and endless wild stunts under its belt, the Mission: Impossible franchise is gearing up for its swansong in The Final Reckoning. As the curtain falls, the question lingers: where does the series go next?
Tom Cruise, the Unstoppable Force
Undeniably, the franchise's pulse beats with Tom Cruise's heart. Through sheer determination, he's vowed to continue helming these movies till his last breath. Fans should remember the buzz when Jeremy Renner stepped onto the scene as William Brandt for Ghost Protocol, sparking rumors Renner might inherit the mantle if Cruise decided to hang up his sneakers. Thankfully for purists, those rumors never materialized, but the spotlight has been shared with a leading co-star since Ghost and onwards.
Prepping for a New Dawn?
Each new co-star brings their own flair to the table, serving as a gauze to gauge audience reception to potential new leads. The team is introduced as rivals or mirrors to Ethan, made to demonstrate their mettle with gunfights and fisticuffs. Although it's unclear whether this is an intentional bid to succession, the chances of a new protagonist loom large, perhaps with the old and the new sharing the burden of action and espionage.
After Ethan assembles his crack team, he parts ways to dive into a deep-sea investigation while the team battles Russian special forces on St. Matthew's Island. The series habitually builds upon its own legacy, so it's feasible that this could be the way forward if Cruise remains steadfast in his lead role, with his body ultimately deciding when he can't push himself any longer.
Opportunities Beyond Grasp or Grab?
If Cruise wants to stretch his wings, a deal with Warner Bros. dangles exciting possibilities. He's planning to produce and develop films, including a project with Alejandro González Iñárritu and a potential Edge of Tomorrow sequel. Would Paramount let the franchise continue without its lead for a few movies, allowing audiences to pine for Ethan while becoming invested in new characters? Then, a proper blockbuster could be orchestrated when Ethan returns, mirroring Top Gun: Maverick's success.
The Action Vacuum: A Golden Opportunity for Newcomers
With Mission: Impossible being one of the last major action spy franchises left standing, the void could attract a plethora of actors and directors eager to make a name for themselves. Already, there's a palpable thirst for action among young stars, with Glen Powell, Dev Patel, Simu Liu, and Florence Pugh eager to prove themselves.
Action movies, known for their visceral, raw thrills, continue to be drawcards for cinema-goers. The success of these films depends on studios' willingness to let directors and stars explore their craft without restraint.
Beneath the Surface: What's brewing in Hollywood?
If you're excited about upcoming releases in the Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek universes or wonder about the future of Doctor Who, visit io9 for more updates.
Enrichment Data: Potential Successors to Tom Cruise
- Glen Powell: With his blockbuster film Top Gun: Maverick under his belt, Powell has been rumored as a possible replacement for Tom Cruise.
- Pom Klementieff: Klementieff's character could potentially assume a more significant role in the Mission: Impossible franchise, offering a fresh perspective with her character taking the lead.
- Hayley Atwell and Other Cast Members: Cast members such as Atwell, Simon Pegg, and Greg Tarzan Davis could also step into more prominent roles, preserving continuity within the franchise.
- The prospects of a new lead in the Mission: Impossible franchise might open up, as Glen Powell, known for his role in Top Gun: Maverick, has been rumored as a potential successor to Tom Cruise.
- Pom Klementieff, with her engaging performance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, could potentially bring a fresh perspective to the Mission: Impossible series, possibly even taking on a leading role.
- Established cast members like Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, and Greg Tarzan Davis could ensemble together to forge new paths in the franchise, maintaining continuity while ushering in a new era.
