by Sherif M. Awad

In this blog post, we will explore the history and evolution of the Mission Impossible franchise, from its origins as a TV series in the 1960s to its current status as one of the most successful action movie series of all time. We will look at how the franchise has changed over the years, what makes it unique and appealing to audiences, and what we can expect from the upcoming sequels.

If you are a fan of spy, thriller, and action movies, you have probably watched at least one of the Mission Impossible movies. You may have seen Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, performing incredible stunts and saving the world from various threats. You may have heard the iconic theme music and the famous catchphrase “Your mission, should you choose to accept it…”. But do you know how it all started? Do you know how Mission Impossible went from being a TV show to a blockbuster movie franchise? Do you know what makes Mission Impossible different from other spy movies?

If you want to learn more about this fascinating topic, keep reading. In this blog post, we will cover:

The origins of Mission Impossible as a TV series
The transition to movies with Tom Cruise as the star and producer
The evolution of the movies in terms of tone, style, plot, and characters
The best action scenes and moments from the movies
The behind-the-scenes stories and trivia about the movies
The future of the franchise with the upcoming sequels
The frequently asked questions about Mission Impossible

By the end of this blog post, you will have a comprehensive understanding of Mission Impossible and why it is one of the best action franchises of all time. So let’s get started!

The Origins of Mission Impossible

Mission Impossible was a TV series that ran from 1966 to 1973 on CBS. It followed the adventures of a team of secret agents who worked for the Impossible Missions Force (IMF), a fictional espionage organization. The team was led by Dan Briggs (Steven Hill) in the first season and Jim Phelps (Peter Graves) in the subsequent seasons. The other members included Cinnamon Carter (Barbara Bain), Rollin Hand (Martin Landau), Barney Collier (Greg Morris), and Willy Armitage (Peter Lupus). The team specialized in covert operations that involved elaborate disguises, gadgets, and deception. Each episode began with a recorded message that outlined the mission and ended with the phrase “Your mission, should you choose to accept it…”. The message would then self-destruct in five seconds. The TV series was popular for its suspenseful and ingenious plots, as well as its iconic theme music composed by Lalo Schifrin.

Why Mission Impossible Was Different From Other Spy Shows

Unlike other spy shows of the 1960s, such as The Man from U.N.C.L.E. or The Avengers, Mission Impossible did not rely on guns, gadgets, or glamour to achieve its goals. Instead, it focused on the teamwork and skills of its agents, who used their intelligence, creativity, and psychology to outwit their enemies. The show also avoided killing or harming anyone unnecessarily, preferring to use non-lethal methods such as knockout gas, tranquilizer darts, or fake deaths. The show also challenged its viewers to follow the intricate and clever plans of the IMF team, which often involved multiple layers of deception and misdirection.

How Mission Impossible Influenced Popular Culture

Mission Impossible became a part of popular culture with its memorable catchphrases, such as “Your mission, should you choose to accept it…”, “This tape will self-destruct in five seconds”, and “Good luck, Jim”. Its theme music also became one of the most recognizable and iconic tunes in TV history, often used to signify tension or excitement. The show also inspired many parodies and homages in other media, such as Get Smart, The Simpsons, Austin Powers, and Saturday Night Live.

The Transition to Movies

In 1996, Mission Impossible was revived as a movie franchise with Tom Cruise as the lead actor and producer. Cruise played Ethan Hunt, a new character who was loosely based on Jim Phelps. The movie was directed by Brian De Palma and co-starred Jon Voight as Phelps, Emmanuelle Béart as Claire Phelps, Henry Czerny as Eugene Kittridge, Jean Reno as Franz Krieger, Ving Rhames as Luther Stickell, and Vanessa Redgrave as Max. The movie followed Hunt as he tried to clear his name after being framed for the murder of his IMF team by a rogue agent. The movie was a huge success at the box office and received positive reviews from critics. It also featured some of the most memorable scenes in the franchise history, such as Hunt’s infiltration of CIA headquarters using wires and a computer virus.

How Mission Impossible Changed From TV to Movies

The movies differed from the TV series in several ways. First of all, the movies focused more on Ethan Hunt as the main protagonist, while the TV series emphasized the teamwork of the IMF agents. Second, the movies adopted a more action-oriented and spectacular tone, with more explosions, chases, and stunts, while the TV series relied more on subtlety and suspense. Third, the movies introduced new characters and villains that were not present in the TV series, such as Isla Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg), Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), Solomon Lane (Sean Harris), and August Walker (Henry Cavill). Fourth, the movies explored more themes and issues that were relevant to the contemporary world, such as terrorism, nuclear weapons, bioengineering, and corruption.

How Mission Impossible Influenced Other Action Movies

Mission Impossible set a new standard for action movies with its innovative and impressive scenes and stunts. The movies showcased Tom Cruise’s dedication and willingness to perform his own stunts, such as climbing the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, hanging from a plane in Morocco, or jumping from a helicopter in Kashmir. The movies also inspired other action movies to adopt a similar style and approach, such as the James Bond, Bourne, and Fast and Furious franchises.

The Evolution of the Movies

Since 1996, Mission Impossible has released six movies, with two more in production. The movies have evolved over the years, with different directors, writers, and actors bringing their own vision and style to the franchise. The movies have also reflected the changes and challenges of the world, as well as the growth and development of the characters. In this section, we will look at how each movie contributed to the evolution of the franchise and what made them unique and memorable.

Mission Impossible (1996)

The first movie established the basic premise and elements of the franchise, such as Ethan Hunt as the main hero, Luther Stickell as his loyal friend, the IMF as his organization, and the self-destructing messages and masks as his tools. The movie also introduced some of the recurring themes and motifs of the franchise, such as betrayal, loyalty, identity, and morality. The movie was directed by Brian De Palma, who brought his signature style of suspense, mystery, and twists to the story. The movie was praised for its clever plot, thrilling action, and charismatic performances.

Mission Impossible 2 (2000)

The second movie took a different direction from the first one, with more emphasis on action, romance, and style. The movie was directed by John Woo, who infused his trademark flair of slow-motion, doves, and dual-wielding guns to the scenes. The movie also featured a more personal and emotional story for Ethan Hunt, who had to face his former lover and rival agent Nyah Nordoff-Hall (Thandie Newton). The movie also introduced a new villain, Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott), who was a former IMF agent turned rogue.

Mission Impossible 3 (2006)

The third movie returned to the roots of the franchise, with more focus on teamwork, espionage, and suspense. The movie was directed by J.J. Abrams, who brought his expertise in creating engaging characters and stories to the franchise. The movie also featured a more human and vulnerable side of Ethan Hunt, who had to balance his personal life with his professional one. The movie also introduced a new character, Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg), who became a regular member of the IMF team. The movie also featured one of the most menacing and memorable villains in the franchise history, Owen Davian (Philip Seymour Hoffman), who threatened to kill Ethan’s wife Julia (Michelle Monaghan). The movie was praised for its compelling story, intense action, and emotional depth.

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011)

The fourth movie took the franchise to a new level of scale and spectacle, with some of the most impressive and daring stunts and locations ever seen in the series. The movie was directed by Brad Bird, who brought his animation background and sense of humor to the franchise. The movie also featured a new team for Ethan Hunt, consisting of Jane Carter (Paula Patton), William Brandt (Jeremy Renner), and Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg). The movie also introduced a new villain, Kurt Hendricks (Michael Nyqvist), who was a nuclear extremist who wanted to start a global war. The movie was praised for its stunning visuals, exhilarating action, and fun tone.

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (2015)

The fifth film in the franchise was a critical and commercial success, with some of the best reviews and ratings in the series. The film was directed by Christopher McQuarrie, who brought his expertise in writing complex and clever scripts to the franchise. The film also featured a new character, Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), who became a key ally and love interest for Ethan Hunt. The film also introduced a new villain, Solomon Lane (Sean Harris), who was the leader of a rogue organization called the Syndicate. The film was praised for its smart plot, thrilling action, and charismatic performances.

Mission Impossible: Fallout (2018)

The sixth movie was the culmination of the franchise, with the highest stakes, the most personal conflict, and the most spectacular action ever seen in the series. The movie was directed by Christopher McQuarrie, who became the first director to return for a second movie in the franchise. The movie also featured the return of some of the previous characters and villains, such as Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), Solomon Lane (Sean Harris), Julia Meade (Michelle Monaghan), and Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames). The movie also introduced a new character, August Walker (Henry Cavill), who was a CIA agent who clashed with Ethan Hunt. The movie was praised for its epic plot, stunning action, and emotional impact.

The Best Action Scenes and Moments from the Movies

One of the main reasons why Mission Impossible is such a successful and popular franchise is its amazing action scenes and moments. The movies have showcased some of the most incredible and jaw-dropping stunts and sequences ever seen on the big screen, often performed by Tom Cruise himself. In this section, we will look at some of the best action scenes and moments from the movies and what made them so memorable and impressive.

The CIA Heist in Mission Impossible (1996)

One of the most iconic and tense scenes in the franchise history is the CIA heist in the first movie. Ethan Hunt and his team have to infiltrate the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, to steal a list of undercover agents from a highly secure computer room. The only way to access the room is through a vent in the ceiling, which requires Ethan to be lowered by wires and avoid touching the floor, the walls, or any laser beams. The scene is a masterclass of suspense, as Ethan has to overcome various obstacles and challenges, such as a rat, a drop of sweat, and a knife, while his team tries to keep him safe and undetected. The scene is also famous for its use of silence and music, as well as its influence on other movies and media.

The Motorcycle Chase in Mission Impossible 2 (2000)

One of the most exhilarating and stylish scenes in the franchise history is the motorcycle chase in the second movie. Ethan Hunt and his enemy Sean Ambrose have a final showdown on their motorcycles on a beach in Australia. The scene is full of adrenaline and flair, as Ethan and Sean race, jump, slide, and collide with each other, while dodging bullets, explosions, and cars. The scene is also notable for its use of slow-motion, doves, and dual-wielding guns, which are trademarks of director John Woo.

The Bridge Attack in Mission Impossible 3 (2006)

One of the most intense and shocking scenes in the franchise history is the bridge attack in the third movie. Ethan Hunt and his team are ambushed by a group of mercenaries led by Owen Davian on a bridge in Chesapeake Bay. The scene is full of chaos and danger, as Ethan and his team have to fight back against their attackers, who use rockets, snipers, and helicopters. The scene is also notable for its use of practical effects, such as real explosions and stunts, as well as its emotional impact, as one of Ethan’s team members dies in front of him.

The Burj Khalifa Climb in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011)

One of the most impressive and daring scenes in the franchise history is the Burj Khalifa climb in the fourth movie. Ethan Hunt has to scale the world’s tallest building in Dubai, using only a pair of special gloves, to access a server room and intercept a message. The scene is full of awe and thrill, as Ethan has to overcome various challenges and risks, such as faulty gloves, broken windows, sandstorms, and falling debris. The scene is also notable for its use of real stunts, as Tom Cruise actually performed the climb himself, with minimal safety equipment, and its use of IMAX cameras, which enhanced the sense of height and vertigo.

The Opera House Sequence in Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (2015)

One of the most elegant and complex scenes in the franchise history is the opera house sequence in the fifth movie. Ethan Hunt and his team have to stop an assassination attempt on the Austrian Chancellor at the Vienna State Opera, where a performance of Turandot is taking place. The scene is full of beauty and intrigue, as Ethan and his team have to navigate through the opera house, identify the targets and the snipers, and prevent the murder, while also dealing with Ilsa Faust, who has her own agenda. The scene is also notable for its use of music, choreography, and cinematography, which create a stunning contrast between the opera and the action.

The Helicopter Chase in Mission Impossible: Fallout (2018)

One of the most epic and spectacular scenes in the franchise history is the helicopter chase in the sixth movie. Ethan Hunt has to pursue and stop August Walker, who has stolen a nuclear device and is flying away in a helicopter. The scene is full of excitement and drama, as Ethan has to hijack another helicopter, chase Walker through the mountains of Kashmir, and engage in a mid-air battle, while also trying to defuse the bomb. The scene is also notable for its use of real stunts, as Tom Cruise actually flew and piloted the helicopter himself, and its use of practical effects, such as real explosions and crashes.

The Behind-the-Scenes Stories and Trivia About the Movies

Besides the amazing action scenes and moments, the Mission Impossible movies also have some interesting and fascinating stories and trivia behind them. The movies have involved a lot of challenges, risks, and surprises for the cast and crew, as well as some fun and funny anecdotes. In this section, we will look at some of the behind-the-scenes stories and trivia about the movies and what made them so special and unique.

– The first film and the TV series share the same title and premise of a covert team of agents carrying out impossible missions. it features Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, a new character who is not based on any of the TV series characters. The movie also features Jon Voight as Jim Phelps, the leader of the team who was played by Peter Graves in the TV series. The movie has a plot twist that reveals Phelps as a traitor who tries to frame Hunt for his crimes. The TV series ran from 1966 to 1973 and had a revival series from 1988 to 1990. It was created by Bruce Geller and had a rotating cast of actors. The movie was criticized by some fans and actors of the TV series for portraying Phelps as a villain and killing off most of the original team members.

The plot of the first “Mission: Impossible” film, released in 1996 and starring Tom Cruise, was inspired by and referenced certain episodes of the original “Mission: Impossible” television series that aired from 1966 to 1973. The television series followed the adventures of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF), a team of skilled agents who undertook dangerous espionage missions. The show was known for its intricate plots, high-stakes missions, and the use of disguises and elaborate tactics to accomplish their objectives.

When the film adaptation was developed, the filmmakers drew inspiration from several notable episodes of the TV series. One significant episode that influenced the movie was titled “Operation Rogosh,” which revolved around a mission involving the theft of a list containing the true identities of secret agents. This episode served as a primary inspiration for the central plot element of the film, which focused on the theft of the NOC (Non-Official Cover) list, a document containing classified information about covert operatives.

In addition to specific episode inspirations, the film also incorporated elements and themes from the overall tone and style of the original series. These included the team dynamics, the use of deception and intricate plans, and the presence of unexpected plot twists.

The Dispute Between Tom Cruise and Paramount Pictures

One of the most controversial and dramatic stories behind the movies is the dispute between Tom Cruise and Paramount Pictures, which resulted in the end of their 14-year partnership. The dispute occurred in 2006, after the release of Mission Impossible 3, which was considered a disappointment at the box office. Paramount Pictures blamed Cruise for the movie’s underperformance, citing his erratic behavior and negative publicity, such as his couch-jumping incident on The Oprah Winfrey Show, his criticism of Brooke Shields for using antidepressants, and his outspoken support for Scientology. Paramount Pictures decided to terminate Cruise’s production deal and cut ties with him. Cruise was reportedly shocked and hurt by the decision, which he felt was unfair and disrespectful. However, Cruise did not give up on the franchise, and he found a new partner in MGM, which agreed to finance and distribute the next Mission Impossible movie. Cruise also formed a new production company with his former partner Paula Wagner, called Cruise/Wagner Productions. The dispute was eventually resolved in 2011, when Paramount Pictures agreed to co-produce and co-distribute Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol with MGM.

The Real Stunts Performed by Tom Cruise

One of the most impressive and admirable stories behind the movies is the real stunts performed by Tom Cruise himself. Cruise is known for his dedication and willingness to do his own stunts, even if they are dangerous or difficult. He has done some of the most amazing and jaw-dropping stunts in the movies, such as climbing the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, hanging from a plane in Morocco, or jumping from a helicopter in Kashmir. He has also trained extensively and learned various skills for the movies, such as flying a helicopter, riding a motorcycle, or driving a car. He has also suffered some injuries and accidents while doing his stunts, such as breaking his ankle while jumping from one building to another in London. Cruise has said that he does his own stunts because he wants to give the audience a more authentic and immersive experience, as well as to challenge himself as an actor.

The Cameos and References to Other Movies

One of the most fun and amusing stories behind the movies is the cameos and references to other movies that have appeared in them. The movies have featured some of the actors and directors who have worked with Tom Cruise before or who are his friends or fans. For example, Simon Pegg appeared in Mission Impossible 3 as a favor to J.J. Abrams, who directed him in Star Trek. Alec Baldwin appeared in Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation as a fan of the franchise. Vanessa Kirby appeared in Mission Impossible: Fallout as a tribute to her role in The Crown. The movies have also referenced some of the other movies that Tom Cruise has starred in or that have influenced him. For example, Mission Impossible 2 referenced Top Gun with its motorcycle scene. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol referenced The Incredibles with its director Brad Bird. Mission Impossible: Fallout referenced Superman with its actor Henry Cavill.

The Future of the Franchise with the Upcoming Sequels

The Mission Impossible franchise is not showing any signs of slowing down or stopping anytime soon. The franchise is still going strong and has a lot of potential and plans for the future. In this section, we will look at what we can expect from the upcoming sequels and what they will bring to the franchise.

Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part I (2023)

The seventh movie in the franchise is scheduled for release soon. The movie will be directed by Christopher McQuarrie, who will become the first director to helm three movies in the franchise. The movie will feature the return of some of the previous characters, such as Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg), Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames), Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), and Julia Meade (Michelle Monaghan). The movie will also introduce some new characters, such as Hayley Atwell as a mysterious agent, Pom Klementieff as a femme fatale, and Esai Morales as the main villain. The movie will also feature some new locations, such as Norway, Italy, and Poland. The movie will also feature some new stunts and action scenes, such as a motorcycle jump off a cliff, a train crash, and a parachute jump.

Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part II (2024)

The eighth movie in the franchise is scheduled to be released in 2024. The movie will be directed by Christopher McQuarrie, who will complete his trilogy of Mission Impossible movies. The movie will feature the same cast and crew as the seventh movie, as they were filmed back-to-back. The movie will also continue the story and plot of the seventh movie, as they are part of a two-part arc. The movie will also feature some new surprises and twists, as well as some more stunts and action scenes.

Beyond Mission Impossible 8

The future of the franchise beyond Mission Impossible 8 is still uncertain and unknown. There are no official announcements or confirmations about any plans or projects for more movies or spin-offs. However, there are some rumors and speculations about what could happen next. Some of the possible scenarios are:

A reboot or a remake of the franchise with a new cast and crew
A prequel or an origin story of Ethan Hunt or another character
A crossover or a collaboration with another franchise or property
A TV series or a streaming service adaptation of the franchise
A retirement or a farewell of Tom Cruise from the franchise

Whatever happens next, one thing is for sure: Mission Impossible is one of the most successful and beloved action franchises of all time, and it has a loyal and passionate fan base that will always support it and enjoy it.