For nearly three decades, the Mission: Impossible franchise has been associated with heights of risk, making Tom Cruise synonymous with the character of Ethan Hunt. From hanging off planes to climbing the tallest building in the world, Cruise has redefined the action genre in filmmaking.
Now, as Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning prepares for this release, fans are already speculating on what’s next. As the title is already hinting at the closure of the franchise, the audience is concerned about the future of Hunt, and it seems like Glen Powell has a strong opinion about it.
Glen Powell’s Response to Replacement Rumors Sparks Fan Reaction
The possibility of Glen Powell taking over the Mission: Impossible franchise has once again made headlines after newsletter writer Jeff Sneider stated that Powell could possibly be Tom Cruise‘s successor.
However, these rumors ended quickly thanks to the humorous take of Powell during The Pat McAfee Show, where he denied the speculation. When asked about the rumor, Powell said, “My mom would never let me do that,” further saying that the stunt-intensive series is actually the “worst gig in town, everybody knows that.”
This playful reference to Cruise’s commitment to performing risky stunts speaks about Powell’s understanding of the franchise’s traditions. Moreover, most of the fans online are not very keen to see anyone taking up Cruise’s place and want him to retire from the role respectfully.
I think tome cruise is the best choice, they should close this franchise after his retirement
— The Philosopher (@25_adult) November 12, 2024
Dude just end the franchise wtf. Not every franchise needs to continue forever
— 4KT WHO YOU HATE (@royal_bobby24) November 12, 2024
Its like Indiana Jones, no one else can do it.
— Joel Squire (@JoelTSquire) November 12, 2024
Just let the franchise go after Tom walk away man respectfully no one is taking his place. Powell is a great actor,tho. Loved him in Maverick and Twisters.
— 優木 せつ菜 🇯🇵 | Love Live Superstar S3 SZN (@Nljigakulive) November 12, 2024
It ends with Cruise. There’s no replacement
— All Outta Bubblegum 🇺🇸 (@Jarvis2503) November 13, 2024
The connection between Powell and Cruise runs deep. Their collaboration in Top Gun: Maverick perhaps made many believe that Powell could be a good successor. Mission: Impossible 8 will bring Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Vanessa Kirby back in the movie and will probably give a proper sendoff to the group.
Mission: Impossible 8 Might Actually Be Tom Cruise’s Last Mission
The marketing for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is not trying to hide the end of the franchise. Changing the title from Dead Reckoning Part Two to The Final Reckoning also says a lot about the studio’s plan for this part.
This has been followed up by dialogues in the just-released teaser trailer, which further solidifies the speculation. Tom Cruise’s line “I need you to trust me, one last time,” might be holding literal significance here. Another character later tells Hunt, “Everything you were, everything you’ve done has come to this.”
It is as if the writers wanted to assert that the movie would be a definitive conclusion of the franchise. Moreover, it also seems to be increasing the stakes of the plot higher than before. The Final Reckoning will show Hunt’s efforts against a powerful artificial intelligence threat, The Entity, which is hidden in an old Russian submarine.
This technological threat, added to the return of Gabriel, could be Hunt’s most difficult mission so far. However, it seems like Cruise himself wants to perform the role further. In an interview with Sydney Morning Herald, Cruise referenced Harrison Ford’s long tenure as Indiana Jones, saying,
Harrison Ford is a legend, I hope to be still going, I’ve got 20 years to catch up with him. I hope to keep making Mission: Impossible films until I’m his age.
However, as per The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount Pictures wants Mission: Impossible 8 to be promoted as the final installment of the franchise. It is yet to be seen if it actually happens or if the potential success of the movie motivates the makers for one more mission.
Mission: Impossible 8 will be released worldwide in theaters on May 23, 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Is Glen Powell really replacing Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible?
There is no confirmation of that. The talk began as speculation when newsletter writer Jeff Sneider suggested Powell could one day be Cruise’s successor. Powell himself brushed off the rumor on The Pat McAfee Show, joking that his ‘mom would never let’ him do the stunts and calling the role the ‘worst gig in town.’ Treat any recasting talk as an unconfirmed rumor rather than an official announcement.
Why do Mission: Impossible fans want the franchise to end instead of recasting?
Many fans feel the series is inseparable from Tom Cruise, who has performed its signature extreme stunts for nearly three decades. On social media, viewers compared the role to Indiana Jones and argued no one else could take it on, with several saying the franchise should simply conclude when Cruise steps away rather than continue with a new lead.
Is Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning meant to be the end of the series?
The film, previously titled Dead Reckoning Part Two, has been marketed as the franchise’s conclusion, reinforced by Cruise’s teaser line asking the audience to trust him ‘one last time.’ That said, Cruise has expressed hope to keep making the films into his 80s, citing Harrison Ford’s long run as Indiana Jones, so a definitive ending has not been guaranteed.
