Glen Powell responds to rumors about him potentially replacing Tom Cruise in theMission: Impossiblefranchise. Powell, who starred alongside Cruise inTop Gun: Maverickand took on a lead action role inTwisters, is similarly known for tackling daring scenes and even performing some of his own stunts. The franchise, renowned for Cruise’s astounding stunts, continues with theupcomingMission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, scheduled for release on August 01, 2025, though it is still unconfirmed if this will mark Cruise’s final appearance as Ethan Hunt.
In a conversation with ESPN correspondentPat McAfee,Powell dismissed the replacement rumors light-heartedly. Cruise’s performance in the action series is a big role to fill since he accomplishes major stunts on his own, like hanging off the side of a moving airplane and driving a motorcycle off a cliff. Powell explained that his mother wouldn’t allow him to take on the task, even if he wanted to. Here’s what he had to say:
My mom would never let me do that. It’s the worst gig in town, everybody knows that.It’s a death trap.
What Glen Powell’s Comments About Mission: Impossible Mean
Replacing Tom Cruise In The Explosive Franchise Is No Easy Task
Powell’s reaction underscores how demanding and exceptionaltheMission: Impossiblefranchisehas been under Cruise’s direction. Cruise has made headlines for years with his commitment to performing his own stunts, taking on feats that have set a high bar for action sequences in Hollywood. Powell’s playful dismissal of the opportunity to replace Cruise reveals a common understanding in the industry thatMission: Impossibleisn’t a simple action series—it’s a stunt-heavy commitment that few actors would be eager to undertake.
3 Legacy Sequels Glen Powell Could Lead After Twisters
Glen Powell is a widely-recognized actor after films like Twisters and Top Gun: Maverick, meaning he could bring attention to other legacy sequels.
Furthermore, Powell is currently occupied with upcoming projects, such as his leading role in Edgar Wright’sThe Running Man,an adaptation of Stephen King’s dystopian novel. Powell’s previous work with Cruise and their ongoing camaraderie teases a possible collaboration in the future, potentially within theMission: Impossiblefranchise, although no official spinoff, or a ninth installment, has been announced. Powell’s friendly banter about the role’s risk factor indicates just howiconic Cruise’s contributions to the franchise have beenand the challenge any successor would face in overtaking it.
Our Take On Glen Powell In Mission: Impossible
Cruise’s Potential Replacement Faces a Big Task
WithPowell continuing to build a notable action resumethroughTop Gun: Maverick,Twisters, andThe Running Man, it will be interesting to see if he eventually pursues a major role in an action franchise. Nonetheless, his response shows thathe recognizes both the admiration and misgivings that come with stepping into the action-packed worldCruise has led since 1996. His acknowledgment of the “death trap” thatMission: Impossiblerepresents marks the unparalleled legacy Cruise has built around Ethan Hunt, a role intricately tied to real-life risk, physical tenacity, and lots of courage.
Source:Pat McAfee/Twitter/X
Mission: Impossible
TheMission: Impossiblefranchise is an American action spy series that began with the 1996 filmMission: Impossibleand has since become one of the most successful and long-running franchises in Hollywood. The films follow Ethan Hunt, an agent of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF), as he takes on various high-stakes missions around the world, often involving intricate heists, double-crosses, and death-defying stunts. The franchise is renowned for its intense action sequences, particularly those performed by Tom Cruise, who insists on doing many of his own stunts.
