Tom Cruise's Farewell to Ethan Hunt: Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning Has Arrived

Tom Cruise's Farewell to Ethan Hunt: Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning Has Arrived

In theaters now, Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning presents what could be Tom Cruise's swan song as Ethan Hunt, the character that has become synonymous with his career over nearly three decades. Since the franchise’s inception in 1996, Cruise has propelled the Mission: Impossible series into one of the most celebrated action franchises in film history. This latest installment marks the eighth film in this legendary series and raises the question: is this truly the end of an era?

Streaming on Paramount+, all previous films in the Mission: Impossible franchise have surged back into the top 10 charts following the release of The Final Reckoning. Coupled with Top Gun: Maverick, another of Cruise's iconic features, movies starring Cruise currently occupy eight of the top ten spots on the streaming service’s rankings, indicating the strong draw of his films in today's entertainment landscape. Only Novocaine featuring Jack Quaid and Norbit with Eddie Murphy break Cruise's domination of this list.

Notably, while neither Cruise nor director Christopher McQuarrie has explicitly declared The Final Reckoning as the definitive conclusion of the franchise, several factors suggest that Ethan Hunt may be hanging up his spy gear for good. The film’s title, along with Cruise's age—he is now over 60—adds to the speculation that audiences might have witnessed Hunt's last mission. However, Tom Cruise remains adamant about his passion for acting and action films, showing no signs of slowing down, which complicates any notions of retirement.

The film itself has been well-received, showcasing that despite aging, Cruise still exhibits the agility and charisma that have become his trademarks in the action genre. The screenplay, crafted by McQuarrie along with Erik Jendressen, continues to deliver the thrills and excitement that fans expect from the franchise.

On a related note, the much-anticipated Top Gun 3 is on the horizon. While production details remain under wraps, Cruise recently hinted that the story is still in development, likening the time taken to bring Top Gun: Maverick to fruition to the ongoing process with the sequel. He has urged fans to be patient, noting the importance of quality in storytelling.

As Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning continues to screen in theaters across the globe, it stands as a fitting reminder of Cruise's long-standing legacy in the action genre. Stay tuned for more updates on both The Final Reckoning and other upcoming projects featuring Tom Cruise.