Mission: Impossible 7 And 8 Will Be "Culmination" For Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt Character - Report

Mission: Impossible 7 and 8 are intended to serve as a sendoff or "culmination" of the entire series and Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt character, according to an unnamed insider quoted in a Variety feature on the films. These films having extra importance for the franchise are not a shock, as they've been delayed repeatedly--and since January are now expected to open on July 14, 2023 and June 28, 2024.

The two films were originally scheduled to shoot concurrently, but COVID has long since complicated those plans. According to the Variety article, Mission: Impossible 8 is about to go into production in South Africa--and it being especially important to both Cruise and director Christopher ​​McQuarrie that these films safely shoot on location, and not on soundstages or in front of green screens.

The article is worth a read beyond these immediate production updates. For example, it also provides updates on how the Mission Impossible franchise is "an important piece of intellectual property for [Paramount], but the films are not major profit generators." That's in part due to Cruise's deal with the studio that sees more bonuses paid his way after certain milestones are achieved over the life of his films. For example, Cruise reportedly made roughly $50 million on Mission: Impossible 6.

Although Cruise understandably commands a high fee, reports have also consistently demonstrated the star has been adamant about following safety protocols while filming during the pandemic. Last year, audio leaked of Cruise making the case that it was incredibly important to adhere to the guidelines because Hollywood was looking at Mission: Impossible 7 as an example.

"We are the gold standard!" he said. "They're back there in Hollywood making movies right now because of us," he said. "Because they believe in us and what we're doing. I'm on the phone with every f---ing studio at night, insurance companies, producers, and they're looking at us and using us to make their movies. We are creating thousands of jobs, you motherf---ers! I don't ever want to see it again. Ever!"