Movies

Unmade ‘Mission: Impossible’ Movies: The Shocking Reasons They Never Happened!

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The much-anticipated film “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” is now available, and many critics are hailing it as the ideal farewell for Ethan Hunt and his crew. Given its massive production budget of around $300-$400 million, it’s crucial that it does exceptionally well at the box office to satisfy Paramount Pictures executives. This could prove to be quite challenging, especially since it’s a sequel that had to contend with movies like “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” for audience attention.

Regardless of the eventual box office returns, this franchise will always hold a special place in fans’ hearts due to Tom Cruise and his team consistently delivering exceptional work. While only John Woo’s installment may receive some constructive criticism, it remains an enjoyable addition to the series. However, not every cast member, scriptwriter, or director initially planned for the franchise was ultimately the right fit. There were ideas that didn’t make it past the cutting room floor, and whether these changes were beneficial or detrimental is ultimately a matter of personal opinion among fans.

Here’s every Mission: Impossible movie that was never made, and what caused them to be abandoned.

5
Oliver Stone’s ‘Mission: Impossible II’

After the initial film thrived under Brian De Palma’s leadership, the production company chose to fashion the series as a platform for directorial expression. Given his prior collaboration with Tom Cruise in the biographical war film Born on the Fourth of July, Oliver Stone was selected to helm this project. Stone characterized his take on the movie as “an opportunity to speak about the condition of corporate culture and technology and global politics in the 21st century”. He also felt confident that the film’s blockbuster potential and Cruise’s celebrity status would serve as a disguise while tackling politically charged themes head-on. However, David Marconi completed the script, but Stone ultimately stepped away from the project.

Stone Wanted To Explore AI, Too

Impossible” by Stone, as reported, revolved around Ethan Hunt and the IMF battling a malevolent supercomputer. Essentially, this can be likened to “Dead Reckoning” and “The Final Reckoning”. It’s uncertain if Marconi’s script was revised for the recent sequels. The plot appears more captivating than what John Woo proposed when he joined, and with Stone’s knowledge on politics, the movie might have been more intellectually stimulating than its previous installments. However, it’s fortunate that the AI storyline was developed in the 2020s instead of the 2000s. Today, concerns about artificial intelligence are widespread, making the story feel more contemporary and relevant compared to how it would have been if it were released then.

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4
Ben Trebilcook’s ‘Mission: Impossible III’

Initially, J.J. Abrams wasn’t the original pick for directing Mission: Impossible III, but it was Tom Cruise who discovered his talent in the 2000s and asked if he had any suitable material for the Ethan Hunt character. This interaction could have led to a third Mission: Impossible film, as work on the second movie was already underway. However, Abrams reworked an old script only to find that it contained a significant plot line similar to the events of 9/11. With this unfortunate coincidence, the project was put on hold.

Script Impossible

In a regrettable turn of events, Trebilcook’s script was never given a chance to be revised into something more palatable by Hollywood. The movie would have been his debut in blockbuster filmmaking, as he had no prior experience in this genre. Had his version been made, it might have been superior, but J.J Abrams’ rendition remains popular to this day. At the time of its release, it was hailed as a revival for the franchise and garnered critical acclaim, with a 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film also earned an impressive $400 million at the box office, which was quite substantial for an espionage-themed movie back then.

3
Edgar Wright’s ‘Mission: Impossible IV’

Although Mission: Impossible III achieved significant success, J.J. Abrams declined to return as director, initiating a search for a new filmmaker. In 2010, it was revealed that Edgar Wright was given the opportunity to direct a fourth Mission: Impossible movie, with Andre Nemec and Josh Appelbaum penning the script. However, Wright ultimately stepped away from the project, leaving the screenwriters to continue their work. As a result, Brad Bird stepped in to helm Ghost Protocol.

No Tears

In a parallel universe, it would have been delightful to witness Wright collaborating with Simon Pegg once more. Yet, even though Wright doesn’t make as many movies as fans might hope, each one he does create is nothing short of magical. However, the idea of this collaboration being a missed opportunity is debatable since “Ghost Protocol” is widely considered one of the top-tier spy films of the 21st century. Brad Bird excelled in his role, delivering a film that not only met franchise expectations but also showcased breathtaking stunts, notably the climb up the Burj Khalifa. Furthermore, the narrative and character development were flawless. Many critics concur that this is when the franchise truly transcended to new heights.

2
David Fincher’s ‘Mission: Impossible III’

Following his triumphs in films like “Se7en” and “Fight Club”, filmmaker David Fincher was approached by Tom Cruise to direct the third installment of the “Mission: Impossible” series. As reported by The Guardian, he expressed enthusiasm about creating a more brutal film. Regrettably, due to creative disagreements, he had to withdraw from the project. In a 2008 MTV interview, he candidly admitted his dislike for third movies, stating that those financing them are experts in their production and what they should be like. He disliked how they “prefer to eliminate any unnecessary opinions,” asserting that he isn’t the type of person who says, “Let’s see the last two, I see what you’re aiming for.

Ethan Hunt’s Fight Club

As a film enthusiast, it’s evident that Fincher operates with an unyielding creative vision – it’s his way or no way. However, one can’t help but ponder if such a style would align seamlessly with this specific franchise, considering his lack of experience in the realm of pure action cinema. Fincher is renowned for his brooding and artistic thrillers, and it’s debatable whether fans would embrace his unique take on the franchise.

In an interview on the “Light the Fuse” podcast, Tom Cruise discussed the ongoing dispute with director David Fincher regarding a possible collaboration on Mission: Impossible. Cruise acknowledged that there are many talented individuals he’d like to work with, but often they don’t understand the essence of the franchise. Regarding Fincher’s script for Mission: Impossible, Cruise stated it “didn’t quite capture the spirit” of the series. Although a collaboration between Fincher and Cruise could potentially produce an excellent film, their past disagreements in the 2000s make it unlikely they will ever collaborate on a Mission: Impossible project.

1
Joe Carnahan’s ‘Mission: Impossible III’

Following Tom Cruise securing distribution for Joe Carnahan’s crime thriller Narc at Paramount, he hoped that Carnahan would reciprocate by taking on the directorial role for Mission: Impossible III. As per JoBlo, Carnahan disliked John Woo’s Mission: Impossible 2, viewing it as more of a spoof of the spy genre. Instead, he envisioned a grittier and modern take on Marathon Man, with added action, set in Africa with military undertones. Regrettably, creative disagreements also led to Carnahan leaving the project.

The IMF as the A-Team

A significant source of Carnahan’s discontent arose due to the numerous modifications required. When Frank Darabont, the writer for ‘The Shawshank Redemption’, was added to make further alterations, Carnahan reached his limit. However, Darabont justified his script, asserting it was “more in sync with certain current events.” It’s challenging to rally for “Justice for Carnahan,” given his limited blockbuster filmography, but he is a capable director who likely would have produced a quality comparable to that of J.J. Abrams.

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2025-05-24 18:08

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