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Summary

• Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning features Hayley Atwell's Grace as a potential replacement for Tom Cruise.
• The MCU has underutilized Hayley Atwell's talent, particularly in the roles of Peggy Carter and Captain Carter.
• The future of the Mission: Impossible franchise without Tom Cruise remains uncertain, raising questions about the series' appeal and the need for a seamless transition.

This article contains spoilers for Mission: Impossible – Dead ReckoningMission: Impossible has a perfect replacement for Tom Cruise, which is something the MCU greatly failed at. Releasing in 2023, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One marks the seventh installment in the iconic Mission: Impossible movie franchise, continuing the high-octane adventures of IMF agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise). The franchise, which began in 1996, has evolved into one of the most successful and enduring action series in cinematic history. Known for its elaborate stunts, intricate plots, and relentless pacing, the series has consistently received acclaim for its ability to innovate and keep audiences hooked.
The Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning cast features familiar faces like Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Rebecca Ferguson, while introducing new characters played by Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, and Esai Morales. The film was met with enthusiasm from both critics and fans. With Dead Reckoning Part 2 releasing in May 2025, the franchise shows no signs of slowing down. However, there are several questions about how long Tom Cruise, whose charismatic presence is central to the franchise, can continue performing dangerous stunts. Luckily, Mission: Impossible has set up an ideal replacement, an actor the MCU has completely failed.
Movie Title
Director
Release Date
Mission: Impossible
Brian De Palma
May 22, 1996
Mission: Impossible 2
John Woo
May 24, 2000
Mission: Impossible 3
J.J. Abrams
May 5, 2006
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
Brad Bird
December 15, 2011
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation
Christopher McQuarrie
July 31, 2015
Mission: Impossible – Fallout
Christopher McQuarrie
July 27, 2018
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning
Christopher McQuarrie
July 12, 2023
Mission: Impossible 8
Christopher McQuarrie
May 23, 2025
Related Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Cliffhanger Ending Explained Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning ends on a cliffhanger setting up what"s to come. We break down the film"s ending & what"s next for Ethan.
Hayley Atwell's Grace Should Be Tom Cruise's Mission: Impossible Replacement She Established Herself As A Key Character In Dead Reckoning Part One Close If the upcoming Mission: Impossible 8 doesn't end the franchise, then Grace (Hayley Atwell) should replace Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt. She is one of Dead Reckoning's most compelling elements. Atwell's Grace brings a fresh dynamic to the franchise with her nuanced performance, blending intelligence, resourcefulness, and a touch of vulnerability. Her character provides a valuable foil to Cruise's Ethan. As a professional thief, she outsmarts Ethan at the beginning before becoming his valuable ally. Ethan not only respects her skills, but also grows to care about her.
Given the intriguing and adept nature of her character and her strong performance, Atwell certainly deserves a larger role in the Mission: Impossible franchise, even potentially as Tom Cruise's replacement.
By the end of Dead Reckoning Part One, she decides to take the IMF agent's advice and work with Kittidge, temporarily saving her but leaving several possibilities. However, it's not clear whether she is now working for the IMF or CIA. Whatever happens to her character, she is now the new female lead of the franchise after the tragic death of Rebecca Ferguson’s Ilsa in Dead Reckoning. Grace was already a crucial character in the film. With her working for Kittridge now, she's likely to become even more central.
She possesses immense knowledge, and is among the few who are aware that the key can open the chamber of The Entity in the Russian submarine that sank. While she might provide that information to Kittridge, it's equally possible that she will deceive him and go rogue. Either way, she will likely play a pivotal role in destroying The Entity. Given the intriguing and adept nature of her character and her strong performance, Atwell certainly deserves a larger role in the Mission: Impossible franchise, even potentially as Tom Cruise's replacement.
The MCU Has Long Wasted Hayley Atwell It Has Mishandled Both Agent Peggy Carter And Captain Carter Close The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has significantly underutilized Hayley Atwell's talent. It has failed to fully capitalize on her potential as both Agent Peggy Carter and Captain Carter. Despite Atwell's compelling portrayal of Peggy Carter, a character brimming with strength, intelligence, and charm, Agent Carter was prematurely canceled after only two seasons. This decision came despite critical acclaim and a loyal fan base that appreciated the show's unique blend of espionage and character-driven storytelling.
Atwell's brief stint as Captain Carter in the animated series What If…? and her subsequent, fleeting appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness further highlight the MCU's mishandling of her.
The canceled MCU show left many plotlines unresolved and squandered the opportunity to further develop Peggy Carter's rich narrative within the MCU. The move disappointed fans who saw the series as a refreshing departure from the typical superhero fare. Moreover, Atwell's brief stint as Captain Carter in the animated series What If…? and her subsequent, fleeting appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness further highlight the MCU's mishandling of her.
As Captain Carter, an alternate universe version of Peggy imbued with the super-soldier serum, Atwell's character showcased immense promise, offering a fresh and exciting take on the superhero genre. However, her potential was quickly undermined by her abrupt and unceremonious death in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. This not only limited her character's development but also curtailed the exploration of intriguing new storylines that Captain Carter could have brought to the MCU. It led to calls for an MCU Captain Carter spinoff to right these wrongs.
Related Doctor Strange 2 Cast Guide: Every Marvel Character Who Appears Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness sees the return of Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen & a few other big surprise characters who appear.
Will Tom Cruise Ever Leave Mission: Impossible & Would It Really Go On Without Him? There Has Been No Official Announcement About His Departure Close This question of whether Tom Cruise will ever leave the Mission: Impossible franchise is increasingly pertinent. Not only is he the face of the series, but Tom Cruise's dangerous stunts in Mission: Impossible have defined the high-octane action and intricate espionage plots of the movies. However, as Cruise ages, there is speculation about how much longer he can continue to push the physical boundaries required for the role. While there has been no official announcement regarding his departure, the franchise will inevitably need to contemplate a future without its iconic lead.
The prospect of Mission: Impossible 9 happening without Tom Cruise raises significant questions about the franchise's viability and appeal. Replacing him would not only require finding an actor capable of matching his intensity and screen presence but also ensuring that the transition feels seamless to fans. Potential successors, such as Hayley Atwell's Grace in Mission: Impossible 7, hint at a possible passing of the torch. While Mission: Impossible could continue with a new lead, maintaining the same level of excitement and fan loyalty would be a formidable challenge.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning PG-13 ActionAdventureCrime Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning is an action-adventure spy thriller from director Christopher McQuarrie. It's the seventh entry in the Mission: Impossible series and a direct sequel to Mission: Impossible – Fallout. The title will star Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, and Ving Rhames.
Director Christopher McQuarrie Release Date July 12, 2023 Studio(s) Skydance , TC Productions Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures Writers Christopher McQuarrie Cast Tom Cruise , Ving Rhames , Simon Pegg , Rebecca Ferguson , Vanessa Kirby , Haley Atwell , Shea Whigham , Pom Klementieff , Esai Morales , Rob Delaney , Henry Czerny , Cary Elwes Runtime 164 minutes Expand