Is Mission: Impossible 8 the last one?

Mission: Impossible 8 is expected to be the last installment in the franchise. However, director Christopher McQuarrie has hinted that there are plans for more sequels after Mission: Impossible 8.

The Mission Impossible film franchise is an action-packed series that centers around the daring missions of the Impossible Mission Force as they tackle seemingly impossible challenges. It represents the official continuation of the two earlier series, "Mission: Impossible" (1966) and "Mission: Impossible" (1988).

There have been seven installments in the franchise, with an additional confirmed installment scheduled for release in the summer of 2024.

What Mission: Impossible franchise is about?

The Mission: Impossible film series is a highly acclaimed and enduring franchise known for its thrilling blend of espionage, action, and daring stunts. Launched in 1996 with the release of "Mission: Impossible," directed by Brian De Palma and featuring Tom Cruise as the iconic protagonist, Ethan Hunt, the series has become a cornerstone of the action genre.

Each installment presents a new set of seemingly insurmountable challenges for the Impossible Mission Force (IMF) to overcome, blending intricate heists, cutting-edge technology, and intense action sequences. Notable for its commitment to practical stunts, the franchise has pushed the boundaries of what's possible in action filmmaking, with Cruise performing many of his death-defying stunts.

Will the Mission: Impossible franchise really end after the eighth installment?

Although the Mission: Impossible franchise has officially confirmed projects only up to Mission: Impossible 8, recent statements from those involved in the two-part installment suggest that more adventures are on the horizon. With the return of characters like Kittridge, it appears that these sequels will delve into Ethan Hunt's early missions. Furthermore, there have been subtle hints and indications that the franchise may continue beyond Dead Reckoning Part Two.

The franchise's robust box office performance significantly influences the potential for more Mission: Impossible films. With a cumulative global box office gross of $3.5 billion before the release of Dead Reckoning Part One, Paramount will likely surpass the $5 billion mark when Mission: Impossible 8 hits theaters in June 2024. In the history of Hollywood franchises and studios, such remarkable success is rarely disregarded.

Recent comments from Mission: Impossible director Christopher McQuarrie have echoed this sentiment. At the premiere of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One in Rome, McQuarrie stated that the two-part installment would not mark the end of the series and that discussions have already begun regarding potential future storylines.

While the outcome of these discussions remains uncertain, the franchise's consistent critical and commercial triumphs, combined with Tom Cruise's commitment to it, certainly make a compelling case for the continuation of Mission: Impossible movies beyond Dead Reckoning Part Two.

Will Tom Cruise return after Mission: Impossible 8?

The argument that the Mission: Impossible franchise should not continue without Tom Cruise is a sentiment that aligns somewhat with Cruise's own views on the matter. Although Cruise has never explicitly stated that his departure from the franchise should signal its end, he has recently shared his aspirations regarding the duration of his involvement.

In a conversation with SMH about the legendary actor Harrison Ford, Cruise remarked, "Harrison Ford is a true icon, and I aspire to match his enduring career. I have approximately two decades to catch up with him. I hope to continue creating Mission: Impossible films until I reach his age."

While some might interpret this statement as a casual compliment to acknowledge Harrison Ford's remarkable longevity as a Hollywood icon, Cruise's unwavering dedication to his craft lends weight to his words. Cruise has shown no signs of slowing down in recent film endeavors; he continues pushing the boundaries with increasingly daring stunts and ever-higher cinematic challenges.

If Cruise is genuinely committed to producing Mission: Impossible movies until he reaches Ford's age, it implies the potential for at least another two decades of M:I adventures, extending the franchise well into Cruise's 80s.