Simon Pegg has confirmed that Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie have long been discussing the next installment to the Mission: Impossible franchise.
I recently had the chance to speak to Pegg, who has played Benji Dunn in the series since “Mission: Impossible 3,” about “Fallout,” which has wowed critics and audiences alike.
The instant popularity of “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” provoked me to inquire about another sequel, and Pegg was quick to insist that Cruise and McQuarrie, who has written and directed the last two entries, “Rogue Nation” and “Fallout,” have already been deep in talks about what might come next.
“There have been plenty of discussions about it. Tom and Chris are always talking about it. But ultimately the decision comes from somewhere else whether one goes ahead … I don’t know if we are doing another or not. But I imagine it is likely.”
“But Tom is already thinking about what happen next. Because, obviously, the question I always ask is, ‘Where the hell do we go now?’ Because this one is already huge. So there is always discussions.”
The success of “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” at the box office, as it debuted to $61.2 million domestically, the highest of the series, and made $153.5 million overseas, too, means that another follow-up is more than likely.
But since Tom Cruise is now 56-years-old, should we be concerned that his days are Ethan Hunt are numbered? Would the “Mission: Impossible” franchise dare replace him like has become the norm with James Bond? Pegg was more than willing to address those concerns, too.
“The interesting thing about ‘Fallout’ is the idea of someone else playing Ethan Hunt is now unthinkable. He is not like Bond, in that respect. Tom is now bigger than the character. Or at least on the same level as the character.”
“So the idea of someone else coming in and playing Ethan just seems ridiculous. The story of Ethan Hunt will go on until Tom retires. God knows when that will be. And as such Ethan retires. If they keep on going on with the films it will be with a different agent.”
“But God knows who could possibly fill his shoes. I think it will end when he decides to finish.”
