Summary
Mission: Impossible 8is scheduled to release in theaters next year. However, Tom Cruise and Paramount reportedly disagree on how to promote the franchise’s next installment.
Mission: Impossible8has had a tumultuous journey to the silver screen. The 2023 actors' and writers' strikes resulted in production delays that have causedMission: Impossible 8’s budget to reportedly near $400 million. Furthermore,Mission: Impossible 8will no longer be subtitledDead Reckoning Part TwoafterPart Oneunderperformed at the box office, which was partly attributed tothe Barbenheimer phenomena that dominated theatersin the summer of 2023. The newMission: Impossible 8title will be revealed when the first trailer drops soon, but Cruise is against how Paramount wants to market Ethan Hunt’s next adventure.
The Hollywood Reporterreports that Paramount wants to boost audience interest inMission: Impossible 8by promoting it as the “final” entry in the movie franchise. However, Cruise is reportedly against “saying a public goodbye to Ethan Hunt.” Regardless of how they decide to promoteMission: Impossible 8, THR says Paramount is optimistic about the film and wants to bring it to the Cannes Film Festival. Recently, movies like thepoorly-reviewedIndiana Jones 5arguably had their reputations tarnished months before they were officially released by premiering at Cannes to underwhelming responses. However, a studio insider told THR:
“I think Tom’s in a good place. […] And I thinkMissionis going to be really good.”
It is unsurprisingly to read that Cruise is reluctant to retire from theMission: Impossiblefranchise. Last year, Cruise said he wanted to keep makingMission: Impossiblefilms until he’s the same age Harrison Ford was inIndiana Jones 5. Director Christopher McQuarrie, who helmed 4 of the 8 films, said theMission: Impossible franchisewill endwhen fans are no longer entertained. So, if they still feel this way, Cruise and McQuarrie have no interest in bidding farewell to the franchise, despite what Paramount may have in mind.
Of course, there’s something to be said about ending a franchise on a high note. The recentMission: Impossiblefilms have all been critically acclaimed. Choosing to continue could lead to diminishing results. Cruise’s comparison to Ford’sIndiana Jonesfranchise may be apt.Indiana Jones 5was rejected by audiences and cost Disney $130 million after bombing at the box office. While Ford is still revered in the role and the film’s failure can’t be attributed to his performance, Indy doesn’t pack the same punch as he used to. Many fans feel the franchise should have ended withThe Last Crusade, as Steven Spielberg initially intended. Perhaps Cruise and Paramount should take a lesson from Dr. Jones and end on the best note possible.
Mission: Impossible 8is scheduled to be released in theaters on Jul 12, 2025.
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning is an action-adventure spy thriller from director Christopher McQuarrie. It’s the seventh entry in the Mission: Impossible series and a direct sequel to Mission: Impossible – Fallout. The title will star Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, and Ving Rhames.
