TheMission: Impossiblemovie franchise, based on the 1966 television series of the same name, has been going strong since 1996, and promotion for the franchise’s latest,Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, suggests that it could be the last installment.This means that the new film could be the final opportunity for these franchise characters to reappear.With an enormous all-star cast and aMission: Impossiblefranchise record runtime, the film is set to be something truly special.
The Final Reckoningis among themost anticipated movies of summer 2025, and for good reason.Tom Cruise’s box office recordshave proven he’s among Hollywood’s most bankable commodities. It’s certainly helped that theMission: Impossiblemovies have developed a core group of recognizable characters and consistently attract other major stars. There are a lot of familiar faces amongThe Final Reckoning’s cast, but several franchise veterans are not currently confirmed to appear. Some still could return, bringing more connections to the potentially final installment.
10Jim Phelps Probably Won’t Be Back, But The Full Circle Moment Would Be Incredible
The Character Has Significant Ties To The First Film And The Television Series
Jim Phelps was the protagonist in the originalMission: ImpossibleTV series, andthe first film made the bold choice of turning him into a disillusioned villain.This incredible twist added to the emotional core of the film, leading to Ethan squaring off against his own mentor in that movie’s climax. Phelps was a strong character with interesting motivations, and could be an excellent feature in the upcoming sequel. WhileMegalopolisstar Jon Voight has caused some controversy, he is still working and could still appear.
Yes, Jim Phelps is dead, and it is very unlikely that a character as definitively dead as him could appear in the new film. However, considering Phelps’ importance to the franchise dating back to the 1960s, and especially how much of a mentor he served to Ethan in the first film,his appearance could make for a powerful feature ifThe Final Reckoningis the last franchise installment.This would likely be done in a flashback or a dream connected to Ethan’s mission in the first movie. However, Phelps has already faked his death once, so anything is possible.
9Erik, Julia’s Husband, Has Some Yellowstone Star Power… But Perhaps Not Enough
Wes Bentley Made A Brief Appearance In Fallout
Wes Bentley’s Erik spent very little time in theMission: Impossiblefranchise, appearing only inFalloutduring one hard-to-film scene.In this unusual moment, Ethan reunites with his wife, Julia, only to find that she has remarried and has moved on, at least in part.This is a powerful and emotional scene, and there is some satisfaction in seeing how Julia’s life has not been entirely destroyed by Ethan, despite traumatic past events.
Still,Erik reflects a life that Ethan could have had.A doctor rather than a super spy, Erik is a regular person with a regular life who has been able to build a relationship with a woman that Ethan loved dearly. While Erik is not a likely inclusion in the nextMission: Impossiblefilms, there are certainly ways that the character could be used in the newest installment that would make sense. As an inverse of Ethan, and with Wes Bentley’sYellowstonestar power, including the character in the film could be done in a satisfying way.
8Billy Baird Could Return, But It Feels Unlikely
The Australian Operative Worked Alongside Ethan In The Second Film
Billy was a part of Ethan’s team during the events ofMission: Impossible 2, wherehe worked alongside Luther to stop Ambrose.A part of the film’s supporting cast, John Polson even reprised the role a few years later in a video game calledMission: Impossible - Operation Surma. From this, it seems likely that the actor at least had a significant interest in the character and would be willing to return inThe Final Reckoningif it made sense.
With so many people Ethan has worked with through the years, there is certainly room for Billy to return in the new film.Seeing as many of the characters who have impacted Ethan’s life and career as possible would make sense ifThe Final Reckoningis as final as the title promises.Billy Baird played an excellent role in theending ofMission: Impossible 2and would be great to bring back. However, his being included seems unlikely, especially after his role in the team was taken over by Simon Pegg’s Benji Dunn.
7Nyah Nordoff-Hall Came From A Very Different Mission: Impossible
John Woo’s Mission: Impossible II Was A Strange Time For The Franchise
Thandiwe Newton’s Nyah was the main love interest ofMission: Impossible 2, and was an excellent addition to the franchise.A professional thief with romantic ties to the villainous Sean Ambrose, Newton brought style and charisma to the new character.Nyah was intended to return forMission: Impossible III, but Newton declined, opting to instead spend more time with her family. Her character is still alive and could return inThe Final Reckoning.
Thandiwe Newton has been acting steadily, especially in recent years, taking on roles inMufasa: The Lion Kingand the upcomingAnaconda, and her character would make sense to appear inThe Final Reckoning. However,reports have indicated that she had a very different working style from Tom Cruise, and that the two had a hard time cooperating onMission: Impossible 2.Coming from a very different time in the franchise’s history, Nyah’s inclusion in the new film feels possible, but unlikely.
6William Brandt Has Left The Franchise Behind
Jeremy Renner Has Not Appeared In Some Time
Jeremy Renner’sWilliam Brandt was set to replace Tom Cruisein the franchise, butthe success ofGhost Protocolrehabilitated Cruise’s image, and Renner was moved to the sidelines. Renner is an excellent performer and was a great inclusion to the series, althoughit seemed that after he was relegated to a supporting role, the franchise lost any idea of what to do with him.Brandt last appeared inRogue Nation, andRenner has since chosen not to return to the franchise.
After changing plans for his character, it makes sense that Renner may not feel as warmly toward the franchise.If he had stayed, his character would even have been killed off at the beginning ofFallout.With that bad taste in the mouth, and with Renner’s name commanding a decent sum, it seems unlikely, although not impossible, that Brandt could come back one last time.
5Jane Carter Is Unlikely To Come Back, But Certainly Could
Paula Patton Only Appeared In Ghost Protocol
So many excellent characters and performers have walked in and out of theMission: Impossiblefranchise through the years, andPaula Patton’s Jane Carter has been one of the best.Appearing as an operative as a part of Ethan’s team, looking for revenge for her deceased lover, Carter added a great deal of force and power with her aggressive outlook and style. AfterGhost Protocol, the character has not reappeared, although many hope thatJane Carter could still come back.
Again, scheduling kept Patton from returning forRogue Nation.The film then structured itself around the introduction of Ilsa Faust, who grew to become an increasingly important character to the franchise. Even with the overall story changing to be set around other characters, it is certainly possible for Jane Carter to reappear inThe Final Reckoningin some capacity. While no longer a part of Ethan’s team, her place in the IMF could still be given a brief look in the upcoming film.
4Zhen Lai Would Be An Exciting Return
The Character Was Part Of An Interesting New Team For Ethan
Zhen Li was an excellent part of Ethan’s new team inMission: Impossible III, bringing a new dynamic to his team with Maggie Q’s excellent charisma.Zhen Li participated in taking down Owen Davian, and her chemistry with Ethan was strong.Unfortunately, despite being logically set up to continue in the franchise,Zhen Li has not reappeared in the Mission: Impossiblesince.
While originally set up to be a larger part of the overall story, Maggie Q’s career unfortunately kept her from coming back to the series.She was expected to return forGhost Protocol, but scheduling for the seriesNikitaprohibited her from appearing.Then, there was a role for her inRogue Nation, but she was busy with the seriesStalker. Still, she’d be a natural fit forThe Final Reckoning, and feels like one of the most likely stars ofMission: Impossible IIIto return to the franchise.
3Julia Meade Said Her Goodbyes But Is Still Around
Ethan Hunt’s Wife Was Last Seen In Fallout
Mission: Impossiblewent out of its way to give one ofEthan’s most important love interestssome closure inMission: Impossible: Fallout.As the former wife of Ethan Hunt, and the symbol of an ordinary life that the IMF agent is simply not able to have due to dangers like the terrifying Owen Davian,Julia was an emotional addition to the franchise inMission: Impossible III. While she has moved on with a new husband, her relationship with Ethan was an important part of his story, and it is certainly possible that she could reappear in this film.
If it were not for the closure provided inFallout, including Julia in this film would be absolutely essential.However, because the franchise has already said its goodbyes to her in a way, her inclusion here feels slightly less likely.Still, Julia is an essential part of Ethan’s story. If this is truly Tom Cruise’s last appearance in the franchise, bringing Julia in would be a powerful way to helpThe Final Reckoning’s emotional resonance.
2Solomon Lane May Be Incarcerated, But He Is Not Dead
The Villain Cast A Shadow Over Several Franchise Installments
Rogue Nationsaw the introduction of Sean Harris’ Solomon Lane to the franchise. A former operative with ties to the British secret service,Lane led the Syndicate and played an incredible antagonist to Ethan across that film and his short appearance inFallout.Even after incarceration, Lane’s presence has haunted Ethan, with the agent having nightmare-like dreams of Lane and the horrible impact he has had on Ethan’s life.
Lane does not appear to be dead, but is currently in holding by the IMF.This makes a return by Harris feel fairly likely inThe Final Reckoning.As an impactful villain casting a shadow over Ethan’s life, a short appearance by Lane in this film could make for a strong and resonant moment. As a look back over the entire franchise, Lane’s presence here feels like an obvious choice, although it is not quite as guaranteed as the next item on this list.
1Ilsa Faust May Not Be Dead
Many Have Speculated That Rebecca Ferguson Survived Her Venetian Fight
Ilsa Faust became an important part of theMission: Impossiblefranchise with the release ofRogue Nation, and remained an integral part of the team in both sequels that followed. This ended with what seemed to be her death inDead Reckoning.Gabriel killed her on a bridge in Venice during a strange scene with nobody around, calling to mind Phelps’ fake death at the beginning of the firstMission: Impossible,leading many to speculate thatIlsa Faust could still be alive.
It’s very possible that Ilsa is alive and that she will return in the new film in some capacity. However, even if she is dead, her character provided such an important relationship for Ethan during the Christopher McQuarrie era of theMission: Impossiblefranchise. While she has not been announced as part of the film’s cast, if Ilsa does not show up alive inMission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, she could still appear in a dream sequence or a flashback.
