This week, Tom Cruise made headlines at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, where he is set to unveil his highly anticipated film, “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning.” Following promotional tours in Japan, Korea, and London, Cruise is pulling out all the stops to ensure this film leaves a lasting impression. The Croisette is ablaze with brooding close-ups of Cruise’s dirt-and-blood caked face displayed on 4K LED screens, signaling that the premiere is poised to be one of the most glamorous events of the year.
While the likes of Denzel Washington, Jennifer Lawrence, Scarlett Johansson, Paul Mescal, and Halle Berry will also grace the red carpet at the Grand Palais, all eyes are on Cruise as he prepares for his final portrayal of the legendary field agent, Ethan Hunt. At 62, this movie icon is demonstrating unparalleled energy and enthusiasm to draw global audiences to theaters. Last week alone, he scaled the iconic BFI IMAX theater in London and jumped feet-first from a helicopter while filming promotional content.
But the stakes for “Final Reckoning” go beyond just a flashy promotional tour. With his legacy on the line, Cruise faces significant pressure. As a four-time Oscar nominee and the iconic star of “Top Gun,” Cruise is no stranger to critical acclaim. Soon, he will collaborate with acclaimed director Alejandro González Iñárritu, which may help him regain the prestige he earned for his role in “Magnolia” back in 1999. However, the “Mission: Impossible” franchise holds a special place in his heart, as it has become his creative baby over the years.
Cruise has invested his heart and soul into the “Mission: Impossible” series, enduring relentless stunt work across eight installments. The first film was not only a massive success but also marked his debut as a producer. According to senior Comscore analyst Paul Dergarabedian, “He’s done a social media campaign like I’ve never seen. But it’s worth it; this movie is the cinematic equivalent of the biggest ride at the theme park.” This dedication positions Cruise and his team as champions of the moviegoing experience.
This time, Cruise is particularly focused on marketing the film as an event best experienced on premium formats like IMAX. This strategy is smart, especially as audiences have shown increased interest in diverse screen configurations, a trend highlighted by director Ryan Coogler with his box office hit “Sinners.” Cruise’s commitment to the franchise is so profound that in 2020, during the filming of “Dead Reckoning,” he famously exploded in a tirade over health protocol violations that risked production delays.
As Cruise seeks to solidify his status as one of the greatest movie stars of all time, the financial success of “Final Reckoning” is critical. The previous installment, “Dead Reckoning,” fell short of projections, grossing just over $570 million worldwide despite a hefty budget of nearly $300 million and over $100 million in marketing expenses. While the domestic box office numbers were lackluster, sources indicate that “Dead Reckoning” performed as the top-grossing film in the “Mission: Impossible” franchise internationally, excluding China.
With the budget for “Final Reckoning” reaching legendary heights—reportedly between $300 million to over $400 million—it's in league with blockbuster franchises like “Fast & Furious” and “Avengers.” Although initial narratives suggested that both “Dead Reckoning” and “Final Reckoning” were filmed concurrently, insiders clarify that they were shot consecutively. Paramount insiders are optimistic that “Final Reckoning” will surpass the successes of its seven predecessors.
A successful launch at Cannes could provide the “Mission: Impossible” franchise and its star with the triumphant send-off they deserve, marking a fitting end to nearly 45 years of Tom Cruise captivating audiences in theaters around the globe.
