EDITOR’S NOTE: This article contains spoilers for Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One.
If you had the opportunity to watch Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One over the weekend, you undoubtedly witnessed the outstanding performance of the iconic actor Tom Cruise as the super spy, Ethan Hunt. This latest installment in the long-running action franchise has been leaving a lasting impression at the box office. While the film continues to attract new viewers, it has come to light that an alternate version existed, featuring a significantly different final act.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One follows Ethan Hunt’s relentless pursuit of a highly advanced AI device that, if in the wrong hands, could have catastrophic consequences worldwide. Joining forces with Hunt on this mission is Grace (played by Hayley Atwell), a skilled illusionist who, despite being a newcomer to the series, manages to captivate audiences with her remarkable performance. In the final cut of Dead Reckoning Part One, Grace undergoes a redemption arc, aligning herself with Ethan and the IMF team to assemble the crucial key. However, in an alternate ending, Atwell’s character was poised for a shocking betrayal.
During an interview with Variety, Eddie Hamilton, the editor of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, disclosed that the alternate ending involved Grace betraying the IMF precisely when they could least afford it. This scene would have depicted Grace incapacitating the entire team, including Hunt, and boarding the train alone, aiming to secure financial gain from the buyer and potentially negotiate her way out of the precarious situation. However, Hamilton revealed that this idea didn’t resonate well with the test audience, leading to the development of the final concept.
Image via Paramount Pictures
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The Mask of Redemption
Choosing the current version allowed Grace’s character to undergo a redemptive transformation, positioning her as a potential valuable ally in the future, especially considering the demise of Ilsa Faust (played by Rebecca Ferguson). This final cut also facilitated the inclusion of an exhilarating mask scene that, according to Atwell, symbolizes Grace’s rebirth. Atwell explained, “I’m shedding the previous identity of Grace, as portrayed in the first half of the movie when she realizes, ‘If I had taken the money, it would have been worth more than the key I was giving away.'”
Please note that this text is a revised version of the original, incorporating some changes for clarity and style.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Alternate ending
What is the alternate ending in ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning’?
The alternate ending in ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning’ involved a significant change to the final act. In this version, Grace, played by Hayley Atwell, would betray the IMF at a crucial moment. She would tranquilize the entire team, including Ethan Hunt, and proceed to board the train alone in an attempt to secure money from the buyer and negotiate her way out of the situation.
Why was the alternate ending ultimately not used?
The alternate ending featuring Grace’s betrayal was tested with an audience, but it did not receive a favorable response. As a result, the filmmakers decided to go with the present cut, which showcased Grace’s redemption arc and her alignment with Ethan and the IMF team.
How does Grace’s character develop in the final cut?
In the final cut, Grace undergoes a redemption arc. She joins forces with Ethan Hunt and the IMF team to assemble a crucial key. This transformation positions her as a potential valuable ally in the future, especially considering the demise of Ilsa Faust, portrayed by Rebecca Ferguson.
What role does Hayley Atwell’s character, Grace, play in ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning’?
Hayley Atwell portrays Grace, a sleight-of-hand professional who aids Ethan Hunt in his mission to retrieve a highly advanced AI device. Despite being a newcomer to the series, Grace stands out as a major character in the film, contributing to the overall storyline and development of the plot.
Does the alternate ending affect any other scenes or storylines in the movie?
While the alternate ending would have significantly altered the final act, it is unclear how it would have affected other scenes or storylines in the movie. However, the decision to go with the present cut allowed for the inclusion of an exciting mask scene that symbolized Grace’s rebirth and added an element of intrigue to the film.
More about Alternate ending
- Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One – IMDb page for the movie.
- Variety – The source for the interview with Eddie Hamilton, the editor of the film.
- Paramount Pictures – Official website of the film’s production company.
- Hayley Atwell – IMDb page for Hayley Atwell, the actress who portrays Grace in the movie.
- Tom Cruise – IMDb page for Tom Cruise, the actor who plays Ethan Hunt in the film series.
- Rebecca Ferguson – IMDb page for Rebecca Ferguson, who portrays Ilsa Faust in the Mission: Impossible franchise.
