Why The Mission: Impossible Franchise Cannot Work Without Tom Cruise
It is hard to imagine that Mission: Impossible and Tom Cruise, two names that are so intrinsically linked, could work separately. However, Mission: Impossible 7 and Mission: Impossible 8 are reportedly Cruise's last two films as the fearless agent Ethan Hunt. Having lasted over 20 years without ever losing its charm, the M:I franchise is a reminder that successful action movies can still exist outside of superhero IPs and could serve as an example to other studios of keeping a series of movies going strong.
Initially planned to premiere in 2021 and 2022, Mission: Impossible 7 and Mission: Impossible 8 had to be delayed due to the pandemic and are currently set to release in 2023 and 2024. Although the original plan to shoot both films simultaneously was scrapped due to the COVID-19 restrictions, Mission: Impossible 7 & 8 are expected to be two parts of the same story that will serve as a culmination of Ethan Hunt's journey. Started as an interesting but simple spy film, Mission: Impossible has evolved into an action franchise colossus and one of Hollywood's most successful series.
Related: Top Gun: Maverick Can't Afford To Move Again (Unlike Mission: Impossible)
The news that Tom Cruise will leave the role of Ethan Hunt after Mission: Impossible 7 & 8 places a huge question mark on the franchise’s future. The actor has been the face of Mission: Impossible ever since its beginning in 1996 and has become essential to the franchise not only in terms of the story but also in the entire making of these films. Cruise has served as producer all the way from Mission: Impossible to Mission: Impossible 8, and his collaboration with Universal and, more recently with director Christopher McQuarrie are some of the main reasons why
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