In November 2024, Paramount Pictures officially revealed the title of the eighth installment of theMission: Impossiblefilm franchise, starringTom Cruise. What was originally titledMission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, Part 2becameMission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. It’s all a bit confusing because the last movie still has “Part 1” in the subtitle. Paramount’s plan is clear. Following the disappointing box office performance ofMission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, Part 1, Paramount opted to pivot with the marketing of the new film. The studio is positioningThe Final Reckoningasthe “last” or “final"Mission: Impossibleentry. But let’s be blunt.No one truly believes this is the last one, making the marketing campaign for the future nothing but pure hype, and it’s time to explain why.
Tom Cruise Never Said He’s Done With Mission: Impossible
When looking at allthe marketing materials forThe Final Reckoning, there’s a sense that this is the end of the road for the franchise, series protagonist Ethan Hunt (Cruise), and his team of disavowed IMF allies. The trailers and ads forThe Final Reckoningshowfootage and flashbacks from the other films, showcasingThe Final Reckoningasthe culmination of the last thirty years of the film franchise. Everything has truly been building up to this moment. Paramount wants moviegoers to believe this is the last movie and last adventure for Ethan Hunt as a ploy to attract moviegoers. The Final Reckoning is a can’t-miss event because it’s the last outing for Cruise and the main cast.
‘Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning’ Soars Toward Impressive Rotten Tomatoes Debut, But Where Does It Land In the Franchise?
Mission accomplished?
Despite Paramount’s marketing approach with The Final Reckoning,none of the top stars or players associated with the franchise ever claimed they’re done.Writer and directorChristopherMcQuarrie, who took over writing and directing duties for the franchise withRogue Nation, toldFandangoin June 2022 that the twoDead Reckoningmovies would not be the last installments. He said at the time, “Parts 1 and 2 are not the end of the series, and they already have ideas for what comes next.”
Similarly, franchise star Tom Cruise has also said he’d want to continue playinghis character Ethan Huntwell into his 80s! At the premiere ofDead Reckoning, while speaking aboutHarrison Fordreprising his iconic role of Indiana Jones for 2023’sIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Cruise toldThe Sydney Morning Herald, “I hope to keep makingMission: Impossiblefilms until I’m his [Ford’s] age.” Cruise never said he’s done playing Hunt! He loves these movies and playing the character, and this franchise is his baby. So, of course,audiences don’t believe this is the last one.
Could Mission: Impossible Move on Without Tom Cruise?
Another issue with theMission: Impossibleseries to consider: Cruise’s performance as Hunt is so ingrained and central to the franchise, andit’s hard to imagine it being able to move on without him. DuringMission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, the addition ofJeremy Renneras William Brandt appeared to open the door to possibly introducinga new hero to potentially take over the franchise. However, Brandt disappeared fromMission: Impossibleafter the next entry,Rogue Nation; and yet again, the franchise doubled down on Cruise’s Hunt. Not to mention, most of the action sequences in the recent movies center around Cruise’s performance as Hunt.
Whenever it seemsMission: Impossiblemight head in the direction of “retiring” Cruise’s Hunt,the franchise abandons the idea. The franchise had the chance afterMission: Impossible IIIwhen Hunt marries Julia (Michelle Monaghan), and he leaves the IMF. However, Hunt is already part of the IMF again at the beginning ofGhost Protocol. Let’s face it. Cruise might be in his 60s now, but he’s never going to stop playing Ethan Hunt because he lovesthe franchise and the character. Over seven films, the studio had plenty of time to plan Cruise’s exit or replace him with other characters, but they couldn’t because Cruise is integral to the fabric and quality of this franchise. The reckoning might be final, butMission: Impossibleis not.
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoningfinally debuts in theaters on May 23.
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning
