Simon Pegg On Final Reckoning Possibly Being The Last M:I…

Summary

Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning could actually be the last film in the franchise, based on cast members' comments.
Actor Simon Pegg reflects on his 20-year journey with the series, feeling bittersweet over its possible end.
The movie's title and the aging cast hint that The Final Reckoning may wrap up Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt's story, possibly paving the way for a reboot.

Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning will soon hit theaters. However, there are already rumors that it might be the franchise's last film, and one of the stars has shared their thoughts about it.

Mission: Impossible is one of Hollywood's most successful and long-running action film series. Fans love it because of its globe-trotting adventures and outrageously impressive stunts. The first film starring Tom Cruise as IMF agent Ethan Hunt released in 1996. It was a massive hit and spawned multiple sequels, including Mission: Impossible 2 (2000), Mission: Impossible III (2006), Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011), Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015), Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018), Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023), and Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, coming out later this week. After seven sequels, many are convinced that The Final Reckoning will be the last movie, and one of its stars admits it's "bittersweet" to say goodbye to the franchise.

‘I Was Realizing That It Takes Your Breath Away’ Tom Cruise On His Difficult Stunt For Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning

Tom Cruise shared some details about one of the most challenging stunts he did for Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning.

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By Catherine Armecin Martin

Simon Pegg, who portrays the hilarious Benji Dunn, spoke with Collider ahead of the release of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. Pegg debuted in the third film, and his character was so well-received that he reprised the role in all the succeeding movies. Overall, Pegg has been present in six of the eight Mission: Impossible films. Dunn is a smart and funny tech expert who is fiercely loyal to Ethan. He is willing to risk his life multiple times throughout their missions. His character's evolution is evident in the movie series because he started as a tech guy, who eventually became a capable field agent. In the interview, Pegg was asked about the possibility of the eighth film being the last in the franchise. "It's strange. It's bittersweet, is the best way I can describe it," Pegg responded. He recounted the first time he filmed for the franchise as he reflected on the possibility that it would be the last time he would promote Mission: Impossible. He said:

I shot my first scene in that film 20 years ago this November. Here I am now, promoting the final chapter. It's been such a ride. It's been such an amazing experience. I feel grateful, and I feel sad, and I'm excited for people to see this movie. I mean, what an incredible wrapping up.

If The Final Reckoning Actually Is The Last Mission: Impossible Film, Simon Pegg Says It's A Genuine Culmination

Christopher McQuarrie directed The Final Reckoning and, according to Pegg, the director did an amazing job arranging the story, referencing the events from all the previous movies. Pegg seemingly acknowledged that this could be the last because he said the upcoming film is "a kind of culmination of all Ethan's choices." Cruise was also asked a similar question, but he opted to avoid answering it. However, he said that The Final Reckoning is "like a 30-year culmination" of their Mission: Impossible work, People reported. The lead actor said they had fun filming it and hoped the audience would enjoy it.

Pegg and Cruise's responses seemed to support the rumors that Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning could be the last film in the franchise. Both mentioned that it would serve as a culmination of the previous movies. Its title — The Final Reckoning — also strongly implies a narrative and emotional endpoint. Additionally, Cruise is already too old to keep on doing the death-defying scenes the action movie franchise is known for. Cruise was only 34 when the first Mission: Impossible movie was released. He is now 62 and will turn 63 in July. It takes at least two years for them to complete a movie, so if they follow that trend, Cruise will be 65 in the next film, should they continue to create more. Chances are high that Ethan's decades-long arc will end, but that the whole franchise will continue down the line. So, The Last Reckoning could be Cruise's final appearance as Ethan—at least in the field—but the franchise could do a reboot and introduce a new and younger lead.

Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning hits theaters on May 23, 2025.