The Mission: Impossible franchise may have been going strong enough for quite some time now, but it seems to be nearing its end. Raging on in the entertainment industry for almost three decades starring Tom Cruise in its lead playing the beloved Ethan Hunt, the franchise could just be nearing its end with its eighth installment, as per rumors.
However, the end of the original franchise does not necessarily mean the definite end for all its characters: a possible reboot could be an option at fans’ demand to keep the franchise going, just like James Bond. Thus, in the case of Tom Cruise leaving and a possible reboot happening, here are five stars who could possibly take the mantle of Ethan Hunt after him.
Has Tom Cruise Truly Abandoned The Mission: Impossible Ship?
Lately, the Mission: Impossible franchise has been in talks to come to an end after the release of its eighth installment, i.e. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two because no projects after this have been confirmed by Paramount Pictures as of yet.
Then there are the recently swirling reports that the longtime Ethan Hunt portrayer of the franchise, i.e. Tom Cruise has allegedly abandoned Paramount and jumped ships back to Warner Bros.
As covered by Variety, Cruise has signed a deal with WB “to develop and produce theatrical films with Warner Bros. Discovery. These movies will be a mix of original productions and franchise fare and will star Cruise, the company said in a release touting the deal.”
However, as per Deadline, this deal isn’t “exclusive” and “Cruise will continue to work with Paramount, where he’s shooting Mission: Impossible 8, and Universal.”
The Hollywood Reporter, meanwhile, has shared further reports acquired from sources, that claim that Cruise was “not happy with the way Paramount dealt with him on a number of issues,” along with the fact that “Paramount has had some issues with Cruise, too.”
Thus, although nothing has been confirmed yet, with different sources claiming different things, all of this coupled with the rumors has directly hinted that Tom Cruise might not continue to play Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible franchise anymore.
All The Stars Who Could Replace Tom Cruise For Ethan Hunt
Even though no further projects have been confirmed by Paramount after Mission: Impossible 8 as of yet, director Christopher McQuarrie is reported to have previously told Fandango (via Fandango | X) that the Dead Reckoning Parts one and two will not be the end of the film series.
NEW from Rome! #MissionImpossible director Christopher McQuarrie tells Fandango that #DeadReckoning Parts 1 & 2 are not the end of the series, and they already have ideas for what comes next. Part 1 is only in theaters July 12! Get tickets now https://t.co/NikqVaQWGC pic.twitter.com/SQ86wHIgn7
— Fandango (@Fandango) June 18, 2023
Thus, assuming that there are future projects in line for the Mission: Impossible franchise, as per these reports, and in the case that Tom Cruise will no longer be the one playing Ethan Hunt onscreen, here are some actors who could take on the mantle of the fearless secret agent next:
1. Henry Cavill
We know what you’re thinking: Didn’t Henry Cavill‘s August Walker, who was notably the antagonist, die in Mission: Impossible – Fallout at the hands of Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt? Well, yes, he did, as most audiences perceive. But did he?
Although many would argue that they saw a cargo hook landing directly on his head as he fell from the cliff, Walker’s mutilated body was never shown afterward. Moreover, judging from the twists the franchise is famous for, there is a chance that the person Hunt fought was never the real August Walker.
If anything, it could have been yet another mask trick, where someone else posed as Walker wearing his face mask because he knew he would come face to face with Ethan Hunt once again at some point later in time.
Then there’s Cavill, who himself wants to return to the franchise, as he said on the Empire Podcast while talking about Mission: Impossible 7:
“I was extremely jealous. Extremely jealous. I want to be there, I want to be parachuting off a motorbike into a canyon. Why can’t I be there? (…) I miss [being a part of the franchise] terribly.”
Furthermore, director Christopher McQuarrie himself wishes to bring him back into the franchise through “a twin brother, or a clone,” as he said in an interview with USA Today. And truly, Cavill returning as the good guy and finally playing a spy would make a lot of fans’ dreams come true.
Thus, through all these reports, his own wanting to come back, and the director’s fondness for him, Henry Cavill holds a considerable chance to be the next Ethan Hunt after Tom Cruise, preferably in any reboot projects that might be in talks.
2. Chris Hemsworth
Chris Hemsworth hasn’t held back while proving his worth for the action genre time and time again. His ripped-up physique coupled with his terrific performances in multiple action franchises deem him nothing short of worthy to be a part of yet another action franchise.
Looking at his praiseworthy performance in the Extraction film series and Blackhat, he would be the perfect fit to be the male protagonist of some more action flicks from the Mission: Impossible franchise.
Then there’s his self-confidence and utter belief in justice that makes him go to extremes and even fight for it — as was seen undeniably throughout his tenure as Thor in the MCU — which just makes him one of the most accurate choices to play the next Ethan Hunt after Tom Cruise.
3. Michael B. Jordan
Michael B. Jordan could be the perfect Ethan Hunt after Cruise for one too many reasons. First, there’s his impeccably charismatic personality just like the protagonist of the Mission: Impossible franchise.
Then there is the unparalleled commitment he has to his parts along with his immense versatility as an actor. His epic transformations are no news for the people who have seen him as Adonis Creed in the Creed film series.
Keeping all these characteristics in mind with the situation that the franchise realizes his true potential, Michael B. Jordan could be the ultimate Ethan Hunt for the spy franchise for its future projects.
4. Ryan Reynolds
Before we start, let’s acknowledge one fact: Ryan Reynolds does not need justification to prove he is worthy of becoming the next big hotshot for an action franchise. Nonetheless, here are some reasons to justify why he could replace Cruise perfectly.
First of all, Reynolds’ magnetic screen presence, flawless humor, and incredibly suave personality all make him the ultimate successor to carry on the mantle of Ethan Hunt in a way that would seamlessly blend action, humor, and emotion.
Adding to these is his utter dedication to whatever character he gets assigned: not only could he deliver the most epic physical transformation for the role, but even throw some punches around and show off his fight-or-flight skills as he did in Deadpool.
All of these traits would end up giving a breath of fresh air to the Mission: Impossible franchise through possible reboots if Ryan Reynolds gets cast into the role of the protagonist of the franchise.
5. Chris Evans
Last but never the least, Chris Evans. Although he too, like Ryan Reynolds, does not need justification to become a part of yet another action franchise, here are some reasons why he should join the Mission: Impossible franchise as Ethan Hunt, regardless.
Evans is already thoroughly famous among fans for his remarkable portrayal of Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But the best part is he hasn’t restricted his career to just that: he is as versatile as any other Hollywood legend, if not more.
Not only could he deliver the most charming performance as Hunt after Tom Cruise, but his tremendous fighting skills and perfectly witty personality would further make him the most flawless catch for the role.
In fact, if anything, Chris Evans would be the one who could most likely carry Ethan Hunt’s legacy forward in the most immaculately same manner as Cruise has done in the nearly three decades that he has been a part of the Mission: Impossible saga.
