A new rumor regarding Rebecca Ferguson’s character from Mission Impossible has been making the rounds on the internet. And unlike most rumors, it is about a topic that has been publically discussed and even reported on extensively: Why did Ilsa Faust have to die in the Mission Impossible franchise?
Rebecca Ferguson played the character of Ilsa Faust from Mission: Impossible- Rogue Nation to Mission: Impossible- Dead Reckoning Part 1, in which she was killed. While the reason for the choice has been made public, a new rumor has been circulating, potentially pointing towards some behind-the-scenes drama that could have caused Ferguson to lose the role, rather than Faust’s death being a narrative necessity.
Rebecca Ferguson’s agent was trying a little too hard
According to the rumor, the problem started at the negotiating table. As is the case with most franchises, agents look into the payments and bookings of stars, making sure that they are properly compensated. However, a lot of times, if agents are unable to do their work properly, major studios will drop the actors associated with them, for various reasons.
Ferguson’s agent, it is rumored, tried to get the actress a better deal, one that would have her receive heavier compensation should she continue to be a part of the franchise. However, given that what was demanded by the agent was a little too steep for the studio, it resulted in them deciding to kill the character.
Of course, none of this is confirmed, given that it does stem from an internet rumor, but it is unlikely to happen in big franchise films. Important secondary characters are often changed and replaced, even recast. However, sometimes, the studio decides it best for the character to be put down rather than recast, as it is a risky endeavor that could derail a well-constructed and well-thought-out franchise.
The official story about Ilsa’s death is more convincing
Speaking with Empire, Christopher McQuarrie talked about how Tom Cruise, who was a producer on the film and he reached the conclusion of killing Rebecca Ferguson’s character. He said:
“…where we had gone with the character from Rogue to Fallout…[the] place you took that character would either make less of her, it would suddenly become frivolous… or she would just become a romantic interest, and it was never about creating a character who was defined by her love story with Ethan Hunt. Their relationship transcends a traditional loving story… They’re doomed to be together and yet doomed never to be together… It felt like that story was looking for its resolution and so we said this has got to happen.”
While the rumors might blame it on the agents and the money, it seems the director and producer of the film had the story in mind above all else. The point was to let the character go out without becoming irrelevant or lesser than what she was, as relegating her to a simple love interest might not be the best choice for the character, or even good writing for that matter.
