As the anticipation builds for the upcoming film Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, excitement is palpable among fans of the franchise. Set to release on May 23, 2025, the film promises to deliver a thrilling conclusion to Ethan Hunt's saga, with Tom Cruise reprising his iconic role. In a significant twist, Rolf Saxon will return to the franchise after nearly 30 years, reprising his role as CIA analyst William Donloe, a character that first captivated audiences in the original Mission: Impossible film in 1996.
Ving Rhames, who has been a consistent presence throughout the series as Hunt's loyal friend Luther Stickell, and Cruise are the only actors to have appeared in every installment of the franchise. Saxon’s return marks a significant nod to the series' roots, as he reflects on the journey that has brought him back to the big screen. In a recent interview with MovieWeb, Saxon expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "What I can say is that a lot of the incidents, the things that happen in number one, are coming full circle in number eight, and it's fascinating. I think the audience is going to love this."
His character, Donloe, was pivotal in one of the original film's most memorable scenes, where Ethan Hunt, played by Cruise, executes a daring infiltration into the CIA headquarters, dangling from the ceiling to avoid detection. Saxon shared details about his character's evolution over the years, noting, "He explained the idea of Donloe coming back, and some of the things that had happened to Donloe during the course of his life, over the last 30 years, and it sounded fantastic." This return to form is expected to resonate with long-time fans, tying back to the franchise's legacy.
While Saxon spent significant time training with a canine co-star for scenes that ultimately did not make the final cut, he remains optimistic about the film's direction. "There was a shift in the storyline, and that, unfortunately, was something that had to go. I imagine there's so much already, especially if they're wrapping things up across, you know, eight films," he explained. His enthusiasm for the project is infectious, and fans are hopeful for any deleted scenes that might showcase his work with the dog.
In the wake of the previous film, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, which earned $571 million at the global box office but was considered a box office underperformer, The Final Reckoning is projected to break records. According to early estimates from Quorum, the film is expected to gross at least $100 million during its opening Memorial Day weekend. This would surpass the $61 million opening of Mission: Impossible – Fallout and potentially compensate for the previous year’s disappointing Memorial Day weekend.
Despite facing stiff competition from Disney's live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch, which is also projected to exceed $100 million, The Final Reckoning has garnered significant buzz. The film's marketing strategy, coupled with its star power, has generated a high level of awareness among audiences, with total awareness ratings sitting at 59, just behind Lilo & Stitch's 62.
Director Christopher McQuarrie, who has helmed several installments of the franchise, remains tight-lipped about whether this will indeed be the final film. However, the combination of nostalgia and high stakes promises to make this a must-see for fans. Saxon’s return, along with the franchise's history, creates a compelling narrative that is likely to draw audiences to theaters.
As the film gears up for its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on May 14, the excitement continues to build. Fans are eager to see how the story will unfold and how it will tie back to the original film's events. The stakes are high, not only for the characters but also for the franchise itself, as it aims to reclaim its position in the box office after a challenging previous outing.
With a reported production budget of $400 million, The Final Reckoning carries significant expectations. The film's success will depend on its ability to resonate with both die-hard fans and new audiences alike. As the franchise prepares for what is being marketed as its finale, the combination of returning characters, thrilling action sequences, and a compelling storyline could make it a blockbuster hit.
As the release date approaches, the film industry is watching closely to see how Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning will perform against its competition and whether it can achieve the box office success that the franchise is known for. With the combination of nostalgia, star power, and high stakes, this Memorial Day weekend is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent history.
