Tom Cruise returns to the iconic role of Ethan Hunt in what could potentially be his final appearance in the Mission: Impossible franchise, titled Mission: Impossible—Final Reckoning.
After providing a glimpse to attendees at CinemaCon last week, Paramount Pictures has officially unveiled the trailer for Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning. This marks the eighth entry in the renowned spy series featuring Tom Cruise as IMF agent Ethan Hunt, following the events of 2023’s Mission: Impossible—Dead Reckoning.
The speculation surrounding whether this will be Cruise’s last film in the series continues, with little clarity from those involved. Nonetheless, the trailer delivers the quintessential elements that fans expect from the franchise: high-stakes scenarios, intricate global political dynamics, and, naturally, an abundance of breathtaking stunt action, including Cruise suspended in mid-air from a vintage 1930s Boeing Stearman biplane.
(Warning: Spoilers for Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning ahead.)
For those who may not recall the plot of Dead Reckoning, Hunt and his team embarked on a worldwide pursuit to secure two keys necessary to control a rogue AI known as The Entity. These keys were crucial for accessing a chamber within a Russian stealth submarine that housed The Entity’s source code, enabling the possessor to either control or dismantle the AI. Following an intense sequence, Hunt successfully acquired both keys and made a hasty escape via paraglider, intent on rejoining his close ally, Benji (Simon Pegg), to complete their critical mission.
As Final Reckoning serves as a direct continuation of its predecessor, it will also see the return of several familiar faces. Alongside Cruise and Pegg, Ving Rhames reprises his role as IMF computer technician Luther Stickell, while Hayley Atwell returns as the former thief turned IMF agent Grace. Vanessa Kirby is back as Alanna Mitsopolis, known as the White Widow, and Esai Morales plays Gabriel, an assassin linked to The Entity. Additionally, Pom Klementieff is featured as Gabriel’s ally, having shifted allegiances after being betrayed. Angela Bassett returns as Erika Sloane, the former CIA director and now President, and Henry Czerny is back as Eugene Kittridge, the former IMF chief currently leading the CIA. Rolf Saxon will again portray CIA analyst William Donloe.
Mark Gatiss and Indira Varma are set to reprise their roles as heads of the NSA and DIA, respectively. New faces joining the cast include Mariela Garriga, who portrays a woman from Ethan’s past, and Nick Offerman as the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Shea Whigham and Greg Tarzan Davis will portray US intelligence agents Jasper Briggs and Degas, along with Frederick Schmidt as Alanna’s brother Zola, and Holt McCallany as the Secretary of Defense. Janet McTeer and Hannah Waddingham will also feature in undisclosed roles.
Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning is scheduled for release in theaters on May 23, 2025. As one of the most expensive films produced to date, with an estimated budget of around $400 million, Paramount is looking for a substantial box office return to achieve profitability. Although Dead Reckoning garnered critical acclaim and a global box office of $571 million, it was considered disappointing in terms of financial expectations, highlighting the elevated stakes for Final Reckoning. With a different competitive landscape than the successful “Barbenheimer” phenomenon of the summer of 2023, anticipation builds to see if Hunt and his IMF team can rise to meet the challenge.
