'Mission Impossible's Transformation As Hollywood's Best Franchise, Thanks To Tom Cruise

'Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One', the highly anticipated first chapter of a thrilling two-part saga, is set to grace the big screen on July 12, 2023. Serving as a direct sequel to the acclaimed 'Mission: Impossible - Fallout' (2018), this action-packed flick will mark the seventh instalment in the beloved 'Mission: Impossible' franchise. Under the direction of Christopher McQuarrie, the renowned filmmaker behind the previous instalments, and featuring the iconic Tom Cruise reprising his role as the enigmatic secret agent Ethan Hunt, this latest cinematic offering is poised to push the limits of storytelling and character development. Audiences can anticipate the introduction of compelling new characters alongside the thrilling return of familiar faces in this high-octane spy adventure.

However, did you know that 'Mission: Impossible' was once a popular television series and Tom Cruise played a pivotal role in adapting the franchise for the big screen? Recognising the franchise's potential, Cruise assembled talented creative teams and actors to bring the thrilling stories to life. Unlike other franchises that may have lost their momentum with weaker narratives or excessive spectacle, 'Mission: Impossible' has managed to remain one of Hollywood's finest, consistently delivering high-quality entertainment.

Mission Impossible's Transition From TV To Movie:

After establishing Cruise/Wagner Productions, the Hollywood heartthrob actively sought out promising franchises. It was during this period that he approached Paramount with the idea of adapting the popular television series 'Mission: Impossible' into a film. At the time, movie adaptations of TV shows were not a common trend, and action blockbusters typically prioritised testosterone-fuelled stunts over intricate storytelling.

Also read: 'Mission Impossible 7': 'Tom Cruise's Dangerous Stunts From MI Series To Recall Before 'Dead Reckoning Part One'

However, Cruise saw the potential to elevate the genre. Directed by Brian De Palma, the film featured an impressive ensemble cast including Kristin Scott Thomas, Jon Voight, and Ving Rhames. Cruise himself took on the role of Ethan Hunt, while the character of Jim Phelps, a prominent figure in the original series, was transformed into the film's primary antagonist.

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Cruise also sought the help of a stuntman to assist him in planning the challenging and dangerous stunts for the film, but he insisted on performing them himself on camera. This decision became a defining feature of the franchise, with Cruise's daring stunts becoming a major selling point for the sequels. The second instalment, 'Mission: Impossible 2,' directed by John Woo, veered slightly away from the charm of the first film and leaned more towards grandiose spectacle and visually stunning scenes.

After a six-year hiatus, Cruise collaborated with up-and-coming director J.J. Abrams, known for his groundbreaking TV shows 'Alias' and 'Lost.' The result was 'Mission: Impossible III,' a skilfully executed sequel that introduced Simon Pegg to the franchise, who would go on to become a regular cast member alongside Ving Rhames.

Mission Impossible Franchise Gains Momentum Post-Third Film:

From this point onward, the franchise gained significant momentum. 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol' introduced Jeremy Renner as William Brandt, while 'Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation' brought in Rebecca Ferguson as Ilsa Faust and Sean Harris as Solomon Lane. 'Mission: Impossible - Fallout' continued the ongoing story with familiar characters. Remarkably, this film received critical acclaim, making it the third consecutive entry in the franchise to achieve such recognition—an uncommon feat in the action genre. Under the direction of Christopher McQuarrie, who previously worked with Cruise on 'Jack Reacher,' the majority of the team returned to reprise their roles, ensuring a seamless continuation of the series.

Every franchise has its own elements of disbelief, be it the sentient cars of ‘Transformers’ or the superhuman abilities of characters in the 'Fast and Furious' series. However, it is only the ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise that has managed to consistently improve its critical reception with each new instalment. Like a skilled climber wearing electromagnetic gloves, the franchise has steadily ascended the rankings on platforms such as Rotten Tomatoes, garnering higher praise with each new release.

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After nearly 27 years since the release of the first film, audiences around the world eagerly anticipate the next two chapters of the franchise. Titled 'Dead Reckoning - Part One' and 'Dead Reckoning - Part Two,' both films are directed by McQuarrie. The first teaser offers glimpses of familiar faces and showcases the ambitious globe-trotting nature of the production. It is rumoured to be one of the most expensive Hollywood projects to date, with a reported budget exceeding $290 million. However, the filming process has faced numerous challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in multiple interruptions and delays. Despite these setbacks, the production has persevered, ensuring payments to the cast and crew, rescheduling complex action sequences, and managing the costs associated with filming.