10 Characters Who Could Lead the Mission: Impossible Franchise After The Final Reckoning

Concludes at least one chapter in Tom Cruise’s well-known spy series, the Mission: Impossible franchise. Starting approximately thirty years ago, this film series chronicles the thrilling escapades of Ethan Hunt, a tenacious IMF agent who goes to extreme lengths to uphold what he considers right. Throughout his journey, he gathers numerous allies who form an elite team of secret agents.

As The Final Reckoning appears to mark the conclusion of Ethan Hunt’s journey, the Mission: Impossible series finds itself at a significant juncture. If the films were to truly come to an end, it would be a wrap-up. However, there’s always the possibility that they could continue. Notable supporting characters from past movies could step into Tom Cruise’s shoes as Ethan Hunt’s potential successors.

Played by Paula Patton

In the thrilling world of action cinema, I, Agent Jane Carter, join forces with Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. During one daring operation where I took charge, my comrade Trevor Hanaway fell at the hands of the deadly French assassin Sabine Moreau. This tragic event compelled me and Benji Dunn to call upon Ethan’s skills to hunt down Moreau, which led us on a dangerous trail uncovering a vast web of global terrorism that threatened to ignite a nuclear conflict.

Despite being absent since “Ghost Protocol”, Jane is a powerful and impactful character who warrants more on-screen presence, possibly as the new main character for the franchise. Paula Patton demonstrates her ability to captivate in “Ghost Protocol” by even executing some of her own stunts, suggesting she could be an excellent choice to follow in Tom Cruise’s footsteps, a role that comes with extremely large shoes to fill.

Played by Greg Tarzan Davis

In the movie “Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning”, Theo Degas makes his first appearance, being presented as the partner to Shea Whigham’s character, Jasper Briggs. Initially, Briggs and Degas are assigned to apprehend Ethan Hunt and his team. However, the new agent, Degas, gradually comes to believe that the IMF team is not in the wrong. Eventually, during “The Final Reckoning”, Degas formally teams up with Ethan, aiding him in defeating the Entity for good.

In the film “The Final Reckoning,” Degas seems to symbolize a fresh wave of younger spies prepared to carry on from established characters such as Ethan Hunt and Benji Dunn. His unwavering moral compass is his most valuable trait, but he also demonstrates effectiveness in action sequences. An energetic actor like Greg Tarzan Davis could be an ideal choice for revitalizing the 30-year-old franchise, stepping into the shoes previously filled by the almost indispensable Tom Cruise.

Played by Jeremy Renner

In my viewpoint, William Brandt was a masterful IMF operative, handling high-stakes field assignments with unparalleled skill. However, after an operation went awry, he traded his firearm for a desk job. Yet, in the thrilling circumstances of Ghost Protocol, Brandt found himself back in the thick of it, working alongside Ethan Hunt and his dedicated crew. Over time, Brandt became an integral part of Ethan’s team, skillfully maneuvering through the red tape associated with our missions while also demonstrating exceptional field abilities. After collaborating on Ghost Protocol and Rogue Nation, Brandt surprisingly chose to step away from the franchise, leaving no trace in its subsequent storylines.

In the past, when there were concerns that Tom Cruise might depart from the popular spy series of Mission: Impossible, Jeremy Renner’s character, William Brandt, was created as a potential successor. Although it never happened in reality, Brandt was crafted with enough backstory to keep audiences interested, yet maintaining an air of mystery. Subsequent Mission: Impossible films could delve deeper into Brandt’s character, eventually fulfilling the role for which he was intended – taking over from Ethan Hunt.

Played by Vanessa Kirby

In the movie “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” Alanna Mitsopolis, also known as the White Widow, is a character who interacts with Ethan Hunt. Actress Vanessa Kirby plays this role in the film. Previously, Vanessa Redgrave had portrayed a similar character in the original “Mission: Impossible” movie. Alanna Mitsopolis serves both as an ally and adversary for Ethan Hunt, consistently pursuing her own objectives.

One captivating character in the Mission: Impossible series is The White Widow, whose intriguing representation by Kirby adds to her allure. What makes her stand out is that she could have been a one-dimensional character, but instead, Alanna proves to be surprisingly multifaceted. Her self-centered actions are mostly driven by the need to safeguard herself and her brother. However, these actions still burden her, as seen in Dead Reckoning. After her arrest in Mission: Impossible 7, there’s a possibility that Alanna might be given “the Choice,” transforming into a fully-fledged member of the IMF and utilizing her criminal connections for noble purposes.

Played by Pom Klementieff

In the movie “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning,” Pom Klementieff’s character, Paris, is initially presented as Gabriel’s primary enforcer in Paris. During a fight in a Venetian alleyway against Ethan Hunt, she attempts to thwart him while Gabriel kills Ilsa Faust. Despite this, Ethan manages to overcome Paris but decides to let her live. This act of mercy eventually leads to Paris turning against Gabriel, allying with Ethan’s team during the events of “The Final Reckoning,” and together they manage to defeat the Entity for good.

Following “The Final Reckoning“, Pom Klementieff stepped into the limelight as the new protagonist of “Mission: Impossible“. Her intricate moral landscape lends an unexpected allure to her character, even though she had the potential to become a stereotypical villain. The relationship between this character and the other members of the IMF is a standout aspect of her latest portrayal, suggesting that she could effectively assume a leadership role in the future. Notably, Klementieff is an action-oriented actress who appears eager to execute thrilling stunts, making her an ideal choice to take over from Tom Cruise as the series progresses.

Played by Hayley Atwell

In the movie “Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning,” Grace is initially introduced as a cunning thief who steals part of an essential cruciform key from Ethan at an airport. As she becomes entangled in the conflict between the IMF and the malevolent character Gabriel, both parties seeking to acquire the complete key, she finds herself in a precarious situation. In the end, Grace agrees to take on “the Choice,” transforming into a bona fide member of the IMF, serving under Eugene Kittridge during “The Final Reckoning.

In joining the IMF, Grace finds herself in a role similar to Ethan at the start of the Mission: Impossible series – a former pickpocket now serving as a secret agent, fully committed but green. This sets her up ideally for future stories, allowing viewers to witness her development into a more proficient agent over time.

Played by Shea Whigham

In “The Final Reckoning,” it’s unveiled that Jasper Briggs, a persistent adversary of Ethan Hunt from the CIA, turns out to be much more significant than anyone had imagined. It’s disclosed that Jasper’s true identity is Jim Phelps Jr., the son of the character played by Jon Voight in the original series. The senior Jim Phelps was implicated for causing the deaths of several team members, but the younger one had always harbored the belief that his father might have been innocent. In the end, Jim Phelps Jr. comes to accept that Ethan Hunt is truly the hero he’s portrayed as being.

Jim Phelps plays a significant role in the “Mission: Impossible” franchise. Before Ethan Hunt took center stage, it was Jim Phelps who starred in the 1966 “Mission: Impossible” television series and its 1988 revival. The decision to portray Phelps as a villain in the 1996 film sparked controversy, but the appearance of another character named Phelps suggests that “Mission: Impossible” may be revisiting its roots by bringing back its original leading figure.

Played by Rebecca Ferguson

Ilsa Faust, once an MI6 agent, later teams up with Ethan Hunt’s crew following their encounter in “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.” Over time, they develop a strong friendship, forging it through mutual brushes with death and exhilarating escapades. Heartbreakingly, Ilsa is fatally wounded by Gabriel in a fierce battle set along the canals of Venice.

Some spectators persist in believing that Ilsa might have eluded her fatal clash with Gabriel, given her past ability to feign death. British operative Rebecca Ferguson has consistently demonstrated her prowess in action roles, making her an ideal candidate to step into Tom Cruise’s shoes and lead the Mission: Impossible series. Moreover, viewers are already captivated by her character, eliminating the need for filmmakers to invest effort in convincing audiences about their new leading heroine.

Played by Simon Pegg

As a tech-savvy film enthusiast, let me tell you about myself – Benji Dunn. I first crossed paths with the legendary Ethan Hunt in the world of espionage. Fast forward to the thrilling events of Ghost Protocol, I earned my field license, but it took quite a while to adapt to this new role. However, over the years and countless perilous missions, I’ve grown to become an indispensable part of Ethan’s IMF team for more than two decades.

In the Mission: Impossible films, following Ethan Hunt, Benji is the most senior agent. Interestingly, during The Final Reckoning, Ethan even designates Benji as the new team leader. Although this might have been a short-term arrangement, Benji seems to be the prime contender to succeed Ethan as team leader in the future. With his leadership abilities demonstrated in the battle against the Entity, Benji appears well-equipped to take charge of the franchise going forward.

Played by Tom Cruise

It’s quite possible that all the chatter about Ethan Hunt being replaced is unfounded. The Final Reckoning could serve as a conclusion to his story, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be. By the end of the movie, Ethan is very much alive and still involved with the IMF, giving no hints that he’s retiring from his life as a top-notch secret agent. Therefore, it’s not implausible that he might reappear in Mission: Impossible 9 and potential sequels following it.

Tom Cruise continues to show excitement towards the Mission: Impossible series, but despite his assertion that The Final Reckoning is the final chapter, nothing has been definitively decided. If The Final Reckoning proves successful and if Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie can devise an engaging plot, there’s always potential for Ethan Hunt to embark on more adventures in the future.

2025-06-02 04:53