Initially a film adaptation of TV series from the 1960s Mission: Impossible like a strange choice. Then, of course, the 1996 release became a blockbuster and led to a franchise that went strong even more than 20 years later. And the secret to the success of the movies? Tom Cruise.
Following 2018s Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Cruise and writer-director Christopher McQuarrie announced that the seventh and eighth films will be filmed back-to-back. Some fans believe this means the end of the series as Cruise’s time as its star. But what if the actor stays longer?
‘Mission: Impossible’ should take over from Rebecca Ferguson
Mission: Impossible was always a star wagon for Cruise, whose 1990s were loaded with back-to-back money makers. As a star and producer, Cruise is without a doubt the face of the franchise. But as the movies become more and more physically taxing, its final Missy could come up quickly.
The 58-year-old actor might not be able to fly planes forever. And in fact, Mission: Impossible seems like it’s on its way to this revelation. As Impossible Missions Force man Ethan Hunt points out, Cruise’s days could be over. But luckily the franchise already has the perfect replacement.
If Paramount wanted to keep the series alive, the studio could not dream of a better star than Rebecca Ferguson. To 2015’s Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, her Ilsa Faust soon became a favorite of. Moreover, Ilsa has many of the same qualities as Hunt, including a tendency to problems.
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Ethan Hunt of Tom Cruise could become director of the IMF
Since Ferguson will return for the next two films, she will likely join the IMF alongside Ethan. But if Ethan finally chooses her as his replacement to lead the team, where does that leave him then? Mission: Impossible III tried to send him away already in the sunny sunset of retirement and family life.
Instead of killing Ethan or forcing him to retire, Cruise should remain active within the IMF. This time, however, he will be the shooter as director. After decades of sporadically being in violation of his own leadership, it is poetic that Ethan would eventually go for that role.
Such an approach would ensure that Cruise remains a lure for a long time Mission: Impossible fans The actor does not have to carry the physiques of directing the films, but can still play a juicy supporting role. Cruise fans know how much he can do with even a little screen time.
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This storyline could bring the series full circle
Of course, this is all pure speculation at this point. But it would be the Mission: Impossible series continue indefinitely. Even the TV series changed its lead after the first season. Ferguson could conceivably carry a few films, and then hand over the franchise again if that proves successful.
If this is the route the series takes, Mission: Impossible 7 en 8 still have the opportunity to lead in this transition. And the film seems to be interested in tapping into the history of the franchise. Henry Czerny, for example, will return as Kittridge for the first time since the first film.
The future of Mission: Impossible outside that eighth entrance remains unclear. But fans shouldn’t worry about them yet. Even if Cruise leaves the series, there are still two adventures underway in 2021 and 2022. Probably the actor’s most crazy stunts are for him. That cue that theme music on.
