There’s a chance that Mission: Impossible 8 is the end of Tom Cruise’s action franchise, and I’m scared for him if it doesn’t. Reports of the Mission: Impossible franchise preparing for Tom Cruise’s exit after the seventh and eighth installments first circulated in early 2022. This immediately kicked off a debate about whether the action star would really be willing to permanently walk away from his biggest franchise. Cruise has done his part to push back on the idea he’s prepping to leave Mission: Impossible and tell audiences Ethan Hunt could remain in the franchise for years to come.

For anyone who has followed and loved the Mission: Impossible movies as much as I have, the idea of losing Tom Cruise is a difficult one to process. Cruise is the franchise in many ways, as it is his fearlessness as an action star that helped transform the spy films into massive global action epics. The series tried to replace Cruise before and failed, and a Mission: Impossible movie where he isn’t around would be strange, even if there is room to explore other characters. But, I hope Mission: Impossible 8 really is the end for him and the franchise.

Mission: Impossible 8 Needs To Bring Ethan Hunt’s Story To A Close After Dead Reckoning

It’s Time For Ethan To Say Goodbye

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning was an excellent start to what can be the end of Ethan Hunt’s story by the time Mission: Impossible 8 rolls around. Watching Ethan’s past come into play and grapple with the reality that he cannot save everyone was truly thrilling, and the emotional consequences put him in a different mindset than the franchise has previously explored. Mission: Impossible 8 is brilliantly positioned to continue down this path and explore Ethan feeling like he is the only person who can keep the world safe from The Entity and other threats.

With Ethan set to be mostly isolated and without his team, Mission: Impossible 8 can dive deeper into his psyche and story all as part of giving him a fitting conclusion. The next sequel needs to tell a story of the often lonely IMF agent coming to grips with his own mortality, becoming willing to fully trust others, and push his hubris aside. By doing this, Mission: Impossible 8 can end Ethan Hunt’s story in a place where he’s ready to retire, knowing that there are others who can keep the world protected – which would be quite satisfying.

Mission: Impossible Ending Is What’s Best For Tom Cruise

He Can’t Do These Stunts Forever

Ethan Hunt’s arc coming to an end in Mission: Impossible 8 instead of needlessly continuing on for more adventures is also a benefit for Tom Cruise. For as much enjoyment I and others have had watching Tom Cruise perform dangerous Mission: Impossible stunts, there is always the thought that he could one day push himself too far. All the safety precautions and practices are a great way to try and prevent tragedy, but his showmanship and desire to top himself keep amplifying the risk involved. The best way to prevent something horrible from happening is for Mission: Impossible to end.

Cruise already broke his foot on Mission: Impossible – Fallout, and while he’s managed to avoid any further serious injuries, that outcome becomes a greater fear with each new film – especially as he enters his 60s. Leaving Mission: Impossible might sound risky for his career, but doing so would create a major opening in his usual schedule. He has Top Gun 3 and other action movie roles to satisfy himself and audiences moving forward, as well as mixing in some more dramatic work again. Mission: Impossible 8 ending the franchise and Cruise’s time in it can make this happen.