In the lead-up to the highly anticipated release of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, co-star Simon Pegg has shared candid remarks regarding Tom Cruise’s remarkable stunt work within the franchise. Scheduled for a theatrical release on May 23, this eighth installment continues the thrilling narrative established in 2023’s Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning. While there is much speculation about whether this film will mark Cruise’s final appearance as IMF agent Ethan Hunt, many fans are hoping it will serve as a fitting conclusion to the cinematic adaptations of the beloved 1966 television series.
During a panel at AwesomeCon, moderated by ScreenRant, Pegg expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming film, stating it is his favorite among the six that he has participated in. He elaborated on the film’s production, revealing insights into the breathtaking locations and challenging stunts that were part of the filming process. Here are his thoughts:
Well, it’s difficult to say anything [because] I don’t want to spoil anything. For me, it was my favorite of the six Missions that I filmed. It was my favorite to shoot. We were in the Arctic; we were in South Africa. The stunts Tom is doing just beggar belief. I mean, really, really dumb s–t.
A lot of people say, “Is he mad?”But he’s not. He’s incredibly focused, and he’s incredibly careful when it comes to those stunts. He rehearses and trains, but he does it because he actually cares so much about the cinematic experience for the audience, he will literally risk his life. Which he does, again and again, and it’s kind of more inspiring to watch. I’ve said goodbye to him several times over the years, just not knowing if I was ever going to see him again. I remember I went back to London when we were in New Zealand, and he was staying through all the helicopter stuff for Fallout. And I remember going, “Well, maybe I’ll see you around?”
Pegg further hinted that The Final Reckoning serves as a pivotal culmination of the entire franchise. He commended director Christopher McQuarrie for crafting a compelling character arc for Ethan Hunt that connects all films in the series. Below are his concluding remarks on the film:
But this one really is the culmination of all eight films in such a beautiful way. Christopher McQuarrie has created this beautiful arc for Ethan, and if you’ve seen every Mission: Impossible film – and if you haven’t, I strongly recommend you do – there will be things in Final Reckoning that you will notice. There’s connective tissue that just joins it all together really beautifully. Yeah, it’s gonna be a heck of a ride.
What Simon Pegg’s Comments Mean For Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Tom Cruise Is Constantly Pushing the Limits
In an industry often reliant on CGI for delivering high-octane sequences, Cruise’s dedication to practical stunts stands out as both admirable and rare. His quest for authentic cinematic experiences has driven him to continually escalate the stakes with each Mission: Impossible film. Notably, during the production of The Final Reckoning, he disclosed that he fainted while executing a particularly audacious stunt involving a 1930s-style biplane.
This relentless pursuit of adrenaline-pumping moments leaves Pegg and fellow co-stars pondering how far Cruise will go. However, Pegg emphasizes that Cruise meticulously prepares for every stunt, often investing months in training to ensure safety. Thankfully, his commitment to performing his own stunt work has allowed him to engage in high-risk sequences without sustaining significant injuries.
Our Perspective on Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible Future
Cruise is Irreplaceable as the Franchise’s Icon
Image via Paramount Pictures
Cruise has remained tight-lipped about whether Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning will signify his retirement from the role of Ethan Hunt, asserting that such discussions might spoil the film’s intended conclusion. Nonetheless, the mention of this film as a culmination by Pegg adds weight to theories suggesting it could be Cruise’s final portrayal of the iconic IMF agent he has embodied since 1996.
While there has been speculation that the franchise might persist without Cruise—an idea previously floated during Jeremy Renner’s involvement—it would be an extremely challenging task to find another actor equally devoted to executing practical stunts. If The Final Reckoning indeed marks the end of Cruise’s journey as Ethan Hunt, the future of the franchise without his magnetic presence seems uncertain.