Forget press releases! Over the past year, filmmakers like Matt Reeves and Christopher McQuarrie have taken to social media to announce new cast members to their respective blockbuster films. And in the case of McQuarrie, he’s been slowly trickling out information about his upcoming “Mission: Impossible” sequels (yes, two of them) on his Instagram for months. The latest announcement just happened, with acclaimed actor Nicholas Hoult joining the action.
Hoult joins the already-impressive ensemble cast of the two forthcoming ‘M:I’ films that includes Tom Cruise (natch), Rebecca Ferguson (double natch), Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, and Shea Whigham. We also have to assume that mainstays like Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames will be around, as well.
READ MORE: Shea Whigham Joins The Cast Of The Next Two ‘Mission: Impossible’ Movies
That being said, with the addition of Hoult, the first thought in many people’s minds will likely be “Damn, that guy is ready to lead his own franchise!” And honestly, they’re right. He was reportedly #2 behind Robert Pattinson for “The Batman” and has already turned in some great performances in films like “The Favourite” and “Mad Max: Fury Road,” among others. So, are we looking at the new face of “Mission: Impossible” if/when Cruise gives up the series?
We’ve seen this franchise attempt to showcase other potential replacements for Cruise in the past to no avail, most notably the short tenure of Jeremy Renner in the series. Some consider “Mission: Impossible” to be a film series that lives and dies based on Tom Cruise’s involvement. But this is 2020 and studios aren’t trying to come up with new ideas. So, why not set up Hoult, and maybe a supporting cast that includes Atwell, Klementieff, and Ferguson for future films? Or hell, how about just give the damn thing to Rebecca Ferguson, who has proven in two films that she’s perfectly capable of being a leading badass in an action franchise?
Of course, there’s always the chance that we’re looking at another Henry Cavill situation with Hoult. And if that’s the case, then forget everything I said above. Well, except for giving Ferguson the keys.
The back-to-back “Mission: Impossible” films arrive on July 23, 2021, and August 5, 2022, respectively.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7G5_Y5gaLD/
