Summary
There’s a chance thatMission: Impossible 8is the end of Tom Cruise’s action franchise, and I’m scared for him if it doesn’t. Reports of theMission: Impossiblefranchise preparing for Tom Cruise’s exitafter the seventh and eighth installments first circulated in early 2022. This immediately kicked off a debate about whether the action star would really be willing to permanently walk away from his biggest franchise. Cruise has done his part to push back on the idea he’s prepping to leaveMission: Impossibleand tell audiences Ethan Hunt could remain in the franchise for years to come.
For anyone who has followed and loved theMission: Impossiblemoviesas much as I have, the idea of losing Tom Cruise is a difficult one to process.Cruise is the franchise in many ways, as it is his fearlessness as an action star that helped transform the spy films into massive global action epics. The series tried to replace Cruise before and failed, and aMission: Impossiblemovie where he isn’t around would be strange, even if there is room to explore other characters. But, I hopeMission: Impossible 8really is the end for him and the franchise.
Is Mission: Impossible 9 Happening? Franchise Update Is A Good Sign For Tom Cruise’s Return
A new update for the Mission: Impossible franchise’s future sounds like a good sign that Tom Cruise will return. Will it be in Mission: Impossible 9?
It’s Time For Ethan To Say Goodbye
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoningwas an excellent start to what can be the end of Ethan Hunt’s story by the timeMission: Impossible 8rolls around. Watching Ethan’s past come into play and grapple with the reality that he cannot save everyone was truly thrilling, and the emotional consequences put him in a different mindset than the franchise has previously explored.Mission: Impossible 8is brilliantly positioned to continue down this path and explore Ethan feeling like he is the only person who can keep the world safe from The Entity and other threats.
With Ethan set to be mostly isolated and without his team,Mission: Impossible 8can dive deeper into his psycheand story all as part of giving him a fitting conclusion. The next sequel needs to tell a story of the often lonely IMF agent coming to grips with his own mortality, becoming willing to fully trust others, and push his hubris aside. By doing this,Mission: Impossible 8can end Ethan Hunt’s storyin a place where he’s ready to retire, knowing that there are others who can keep the world protected - which would be quite satisfying.
Mission: Impossible Ending Is What’s Best For Tom Cruise
He Can’t Do These Stunts Forever
Ethan Hunt’s arc coming to an end inMission: Impossible 8instead of needlessly continuing on for more adventures is also a benefit for Tom Cruise. For as much enjoyment I and others have had watchingTom Cruise perform dangerousMission: Impossiblestunts, there is always the thought that he could one day push himself too far. All the safety precautions and practices are a great way to try and prevent tragedy, buthis showmanship and desire to top himself keep amplifying the risk involved. The best way to prevent something horrible from happening is forMission: Impossibleto end.
Cruise already broke his foot onMission: Impossible - Fallout, and while he’s managed to avoid any further serious injuries, that outcome becomes a greater fear with each new film - especially as he enters his 60s. LeavingMission: Impossiblemight sound risky for his career, but doing so would create a major opening in his usual schedule. He hasTop Gun 3and other action movie roles to satisfy himself and audiences moving forward, as well as mixing in some more dramatic work again.Mission: Impossible 8ending the franchise and Cruise’s time in it can make this happen.
