Tom Cruise looking surprised as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One

Tom Cruise‘s next movie after Mission: Impossible 8 receives a filming window. After earning three Oscar nominations for dramatic roles during the early part of his career, the last two decades of Cruise’s career have been defined by blockbuster action movies like the Mission: Impossible franchise, including an untitled eighth film currently on the way. Earlier this year, Cruise signed a deal to develop and produce films with Warner Bros, the first of which is an untitled movie from the four-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu.

Now, the star’s next film after Mission: Impossible 8 has received a filming window. According to Variety, Tom Cruise and Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s movie is set to start filming in the United Kingdom. While an exact start date hasn’t been confirmed, it could happen as soon as next month. Other than Cruise, the cast includes Sandra Hüller, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons, and Sophie Wilde. While plot details remain under wraps, Iñárritu co-wrote the script with his Birdman co-writers Nicolas Giacobone and Alexander Dinelaris

What Tom Cruise’s Next Movie’s Filming Window Means For The Actor

His Schedule (& Priorities) Are Becoming Clearer

Tom Cruise in Edge of Tomorrow Tom Cruise as Cage aiming a rocket in his mech suit on the battlefield in Edge of Tomorrow
 Tom Cruise as Jerry Maguire on the phone in Jerry Maguire Tom Cruise as John Anderton looking seriously in front of a group of Precrime officers in Minority Report Tom Cruise's Maverick smiles in Top Gun MaverickTom Cruise in Edge of Tomorrow Tom Cruise as Cage aiming a rocket in his mech suit on the battlefield in Edge of Tomorrow
Tom Cruise as Jerry Maguire on the phone in Jerry Maguire Tom Cruise as John Anderton looking seriously in front of a group of Precrime officers in Minority Report Tom Cruise's Maverick smiles in Top Gun Maverick

With Alejandro G. Iñárritu and Tom Cruise’s movie reportedly filming as early as next month, the actor’s busy schedule and his priorities have become a lot clearer. He started shooting Mission: Impossible 8 way back in March 2022 and, after a pause due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, resumed in March 2024. The movie is seemingly still shooting, but with Cruise reportedly starting his next movie as soon as next month, he should finally be finished filming Mission: Impossible 8 by then.

This update also suggests that Cruise is prioritizing his collaboration with Iñárritu over other projects. For years, the actor has been developing an action movie directed by Doug Liman that would make him the first civilian to do a spacewalk outside the International Space Station. Also, recently, Edge of Tomorrow 2 became a possibility. Earlier this year, Cruise formed a strategic partnership with Warner Bros. with a reported focus on starring in auteur-driven films rather than studio tentpoles. With his collaboration with Iñárritu being his next movie, Cruise appears to be doing just that.

Our Take On Tom Cruise’s Next Movie’s Filming Window

Why It’s Great News

Tom Cruise on the phone in Jerry Maguire

It’s great news that Tom Cruise and Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s movie is set to start shooting as soon as next month. It signals Cruise’s smart shift towards more auteur-driven projects, a refreshing change after years dominated by blockbuster action which, albeit, was very entertaining. Collaborating with a director like Iñárritu, best known for Birdman and The Revenant, shows Tom Cruise‘s desire to stretch his dramatic skills again. The strategic choice should likely earn him more acclaim and reinvigorate his career beyond his action-hero persona.

Mission: Impossible 8 is scheduled for a release in theaters on May 23, 2025.