However, the studio is considering spinoffs featuring other characters, including Isabelle Faust (Vanessa Kirby). Perhaps the Mission: Impossible universe will live on—but without Cruise.
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Interestingly, Tom Cruise himself hasn’t ruled out a return if the story is “important enough.” He emphasized that for him, Ethan Hunt isn’t just a role, but “an example of what a hero should be.”
The film is scheduled for release in May 2026—just in time for the franchise’s 30th anniversary. This makes its release especially symbolic. The premiere is expected to be a global event, featuring a global cast.
While Cruise is taking time off between shoots, he continues to promote the idea of ”living cinema”—in an era increasingly dominated by sequels and reboots, his approach seems like a challenge to the system.
If Mission: Impossible 8 ends up being the finale, it won’t just be the end of an era—it will be a reminder that cinema can be gripping, honest, and real.