Tom Cruise is reportedly planning to cast a younger version of himself for the next two Mission: Impossible films. At 62, the Hollywood legend is said to be searching for the ideal actor to portray a young Ethan Hunt, a move aimed at delving into the character’s early life and backstory.
According to reports, Cruise wants to explore Ethan Hunt’s formative years, shedding light on his journey before becoming a spy.
An insider told, “The scenes will show Ethan in his early life and explore the things that happened to him before he went on to start working as a spy. It’s something they’ve not done before with Mission: Impossible, and Tom thinks it could be a fascinating angle for fans.”
The source added, “They’re looking for a fresh face to take on the role, someone new to the scene who will create a real buzz. The character will appear briefly in the next film and play a larger role in the ninth.”
Earlier in November, the first trailer for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning was revealed, confirming its title after significant delays.
Cruise reprises his role as Ethan Hunt, facing his most challenging mission yet—tracking down a dangerous cyber weapon known as The Entity. The trailer offers glimpses of the franchise’s iconic moments, with Ethan urging his team to “trust him one last time.”
Mission Impossible Franchise
A voiceover ominously narrates, “Everything you were, everything you’ve done, has led to this. When the need for certainty is absolute and the odds are deemed impossible, the mission falls to him, should he choose to accept.”
The trailer also features franchise staples like Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Vanessa Kirby, with Esai Morales reprising his role as the villainous Gabriel. Fans get a preview of Ethan’s daring stunts, including a nail-biting scene where he dangles from a World War II plane.
The upcoming eighth installment, initially intended to be filmed back-to-back with Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, faced multiple production delays. These included a SAG-AFTRA strike and a faulty gimbal, which halted filming at various stages. Shooting finally resumed in March 2024, with a new release date set for May 23, 2025.
Despite these challenges, the eighth film promises to deliver the high-octane thrills the franchise is known for. Returning cast members include Pom Klementieff and the core ensemble of Rhames, Pegg, and Atwell.
Cruise is also keen to avoid the box office competition that impacted Dead Reckoning Part One, which underperformed compared to previous films in the series. Released alongside Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, the seventh installment grossed significantly less than expected, with Oppenheimer outperforming it by nearly $400 million.
The Mission: Impossible franchise, which began in 1996 and is based on the 1966 television series, continues to evolve, with Cruise’s latest move signaling an exciting new chapter that could add depth to Ethan Hunt’s story. Fans can look forward to Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning hitting theaters on May 23, 2025.
