Summary
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoningwill soon hit theaters. However, there are already rumors that it might be the franchise’s last film, and one of the stars has shared their thoughts about it.
Mission: Impossibleis one of Hollywood’s most successful and long-running action film series. Fans love it because of its globe-trotting adventures and outrageously impressive stunts. The first film starring Tom Cruise as IMF agent Ethan Hunt released in 1996. It was a massive hit and spawned multiple sequels, includingMission: Impossible 2(2000),Mission: Impossible III(2006),Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol(2011),Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation(2015),Mission: Impossible - Fallout(2018),Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One(2023), andMission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, coming out later this week. After seven sequels, many are convinced thatThe Final Reckoningwill be the last movie, and one of its stars admits it’s “bittersweet” to say goodbye to the franchise.
Simon Pegg, who portrays the hilarious Benji Dunn, spoke withColliderahead of the release ofMission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. Pegg debuted in the third film, and his character was so well-received that he reprised the role in all the succeeding movies. Overall, Pegg has been present in six of the eightMission: Impossiblefilms. Dunn is a smart and funny tech expert who is fiercely loyal to Ethan. He is willing to risk his life multiple times throughout their missions. His character’s evolution is evident in the movie series because he started as a tech guy, who eventually became a capable field agent. In the interview, Pegg was asked about the possibility of the eighth film being the last in the franchise. “It’s strange. It’s bittersweet, is the best way I can describe it,” Pegg responded. He recounted the first time he filmed for the franchise as he reflected on the possibility that it would be the last time he would promoteMission: Impossible. He said:
I shot my first scene in that film 20 years ago this November. Here I am now, promoting the final chapter. It’s been such a ride. It’s been such an amazing experience. I feel grateful, and I feel sad, and I’m excited for people to see this movie. I mean, what an incredible wrapping up.
IfThe Final ReckoningActually Is The LastMission: ImpossibleFilm, Simon Pegg Says It’s A Genuine Culmination
Christopher McQuarrie directedThe Final Reckoningand, according to Pegg, the director did an amazing job arranging the story, referencing the events from all the previous movies. Pegg seemingly acknowledged that this could be the last because he said the upcoming film is “a kind of culmination of all Ethan’s choices.” Cruise was also asked a similar question, but he opted to avoid answering it. However, he said thatThe Final Reckoningis “like a 30-year culmination” of theirMission: Impossiblework,Peoplereported. The lead actor said they had fun filming it and hoped the audience would enjoy it.
Pegg and Cruise’s responses seemed to support the rumors thatMission: Impossible - The Final Reckoningcould be the last film in the franchise. Both mentioned that it would serve as a culmination of the previous movies. Its title —The Final Reckoning— also strongly implies a narrative and emotional endpoint. Additionally, Cruise is already too old to keep on doing thedeath-defying scenesthe action movie franchise is known for. Cruise was only 34 when the firstMission: Impossiblemovie was released. He is now 62 and will turn 63 in July. It takes at least two years for them to complete a movie, so if they follow that trend, Cruise will be 65 in the next film, should they continue to create more. Chances are high that Ethan’s decades-long arc will end, but that the whole franchise will continue down the line. So,The Last Reckoningcould be Cruise’s final appearance as Ethan—at least in the field—but the franchise could do a reboot and introduce a new and younger lead.
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoninghits theaters on June 03, 2025.
