Movies

Original Mission: Impossible Script Had Major Character Dying, Altered Franchise Forever

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The long-running Mission: Impossible series is reaching its conclusion with the much-awaited movie titled Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. This impending release has sparked a resurgence of interest among viewers, causing many to revisit Brian De Palma’s 1996 original in recent times. Unlike the more recent sequels, this film adopts a rawer and more realistic tone, focusing on Ethan Hunt’s feud with an IMF agent named Kittridge, who suspects Hunt of betraying their organization to a dangerous group of European criminals. This movie is considered one of the best in the series, but it could have turned out very differently under slightly altered circumstances.

Compared to the action-packed sequels, the filming of the original Mission: Impossible in 1996 was a bit rocky, filled with challenging stunts and creative disagreements between the crew and actors. One notable instance was the alteration of character arcs, such as Luther Stickwell’s, whose fate was initially planned differently, leaving an enduring impact on the franchise‘s narrative.

Luther Was Originally Meant To Die In Mission: Impossible 1996 Before Ving Rhames Spoke Up

Ving Rhames Immediately Saved Luther’s Life

As a die-hard fan of the Mission: Impossible series, I can hardly picture the franchise without the legendary character Luther Stickwell, portrayed by Ving Rhames. Interestingly, the series might have taken an entirely different trajectory right from Brian De Palma’s 1996 film. It’s been revealed that in the initial plan, Luther was supposed to meet his end in the movie, along with other members of Ethan Hunt’s team during their mission in Prague. However, Luther wasn’t part of the squad as we know it in the final version. Fortunately for us fans, things changed when Ving Rhames decided to voice his thoughts, saving Luther Stickwell from an early demise in the series.

Before Luther’s character’s fate was set in stone, Rhames humorously commented that it wasn’t favorable for the film to eliminate “the sole Black character” early on, and De Palma accommodated this (as reported by BuzzFeed). The actor highlighted a common practice in Hollywood of eliminating its Black characters at the start of a movie, and De Palma adjusted accordingly. The script was subsequently modified, allowing Luther to portray a significantly different role and endure in the series.

The playful remark made by Ving Rhames during filming significantly altered the course of the Mission: Impossible series indefinitely. This incident underscores the adaptability of the original film’s crew, as this was Tom Cruise’s initial project following his establishment of production company Cruise/Wagner Productions. Given his substantial creative influence on the movie, it’s evident that Cruise concurred with De Palma in preserving Luther’s life, and he has since ensured Rhames remained a constant presence in all subsequent films.

Luther Dying In Mission: Impossible’s First Movie Would’ve Radically Changed The Franchise

The Character Is A Necessary Part Of The Franchise

From my perspective as a fan, it’s quite straightforward: Luther has graced every Mission: Impossible film because he’s an incredibly engaging character, and his on-screen chemistry with Cruise’s hero adds depth to the early sequels, fostering themes of friendship and camaraderie. However, had he met his end during the Prague heist as intended by De Palma, the consequences would have been immediate – the absence of his character would have significantly diminished thrilling scenes such as the Langley heist and the train chase, given that much of the technical support behind these missions can be attributed to him.

It’s also plausible that Luther, a former IMF agent who was disavowed, interacts with Ethan when Ethan’s original allies are assassinated. His initial reluctance and wariness towards Ethan adds depth to their subsequent friendship, making it all the more intriguing. Killing off characters like Luther at the outset would have diminished the impact and possibly appeared careless in writing, but the strategic use of these early deaths creates a strong shock factor that draws viewers into the movie right away. However, excessive deaths could have been seen as lazy writing.

How The Mission: Impossible Franchise Would Be Different If Luther Died In The First Movie

Things Would Be Very Different Today If Rhames Hadn’t Spoken Up

After appearing in the initial movie, Luther has proven to be a vital aspect of the Mission: Impossible series. His skills in hacking and technology have contributed significantly to some of the franchise’s most impressive stunts. Moreover, he’s been the sole character to star in every sequel, providing Ethan with a consistent companion. Benji eventually assumes a similar role, but Luther is unique as he’s been present since the start. As the Mission: Impossible films evolve and grow more emotional with each new installment, the bond between Ethan and Luther is a significant factor in this development.

I must admit, when I first heard comedian Rhames’ comment about the early “Mission: Impossible” films killing off their only Black character at the start, it was presented as a joke. However, if we take a closer look, his statement rings true. The franchise would have been far less diverse and inclusive without Rhames joining for the sequels. This could have led to justified criticism towards Tom Cruise’s passion project. Fortunately, the writers always find ways to incorporate Rhames’ character effectively, avoiding potential issues of representation. He is undeniably one of the best characters in the “Mission: Impossible” series, and it’s hard to imagine the franchise without him.

Luther Not Dying In Mission: Impossible Was Easily The Right Decision

The Character Was Never Supposed To Be An Expendable One

In the original Mission: Impossible film during the Prague heist, it was strategically effective to eliminate numerous characters for dramatic impact. However, sparing Luther from the same fate proved to be even more shrewd. Had they left him dead, he could have easily fallen into a stereotype like Emilio Estevez’s character Jack Harmon. But the writers envisioned greater potential for Luther and made sure that this potential was realized in later sequels.

Luther Stickwell serves as the emotional heart of the Mission: Impossible series, although it’s Tom Cruise’s character who initially draws viewers to the cinema with his death-defying stunts and charismatic presence. However, without a more down-to-earth figure like Luther, the films wouldn’t be nearly as captivating. He keeps the risks high and ensures that audiences never forget this is a tale about safeguarding those you care for deeply and going to extraordinary lengths for their protection. Interestingly enough, an offhand comment made in the 1990s has significantly shaped Mission: Impossible into a profound narrative exploring themes of friendship and self-sacrifice.

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2025-05-03 21:39

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