Tom Cruise Insists on a Clear Conclusion for ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning’ Part One

The substantial success of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One can be credited to its independent narrative structure, where the story feels complete in itself and not just a half of a bigger plot. Tom Cruise’s iconic character, Ethan Hunt, is seen executing a spectacular stunt, biking off a mountain, parachuting onto a moving train, followed by a frantic scramble to gain control over a corrupt AI’s critical key. The action-filled sequence concludes with Hunt and his co-agent Benji Dunn, portrayed by Simon Pegg, seizing the key and driving off to devise a plan.

Contrary to recent films like Fast X, this movie ensures a definite ending for its characters instead of leaving them hanging. Ethan and Benji end up safe, Luther Stickell, played by Ving Rhames, is actively working on disabling the rogue AI, while Hayley Atwell’s character, Grace, joins the IMF after a conversation with Directed Eugene Kittridge (Henry Czerny) in the finale.

Director Christopher McQuarrie revealed in a Total Film interview that it was Tom Cruise, the producer and the star of the film, who was adamant about the film having a well-defined beginning, middle, and end. Cruise was anxious about delivering a satisfying conclusion to the audience and had sleepless nights over it.

Image via Paramount Pictures

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Tom Cruise’s Sleepless Nights Over a Clear Conclusion

McQuarrie highlighted the considerable time it took to finalize the film’s conclusion. The director even noted that the goodbye scene between Ethan and Grace was filmed over two years after the initial filming started. Interestingly, Cruise had to wear a wig to hide his new hairstyle for Dead Reckoning Part Two. Regarding the movie’s climax, McQuarrie shared:

“The endpoint of the movie was predetermined. However, the manner of concluding it was a massive conundrum. Tom’s anxiety over not having a cliffhanger, but rather a satisfying ending kept him awake during the production. He frequently insisted, ‘The audience must feel a sense of fulfillment.’

Tom was perpetually concerned about the conclusion seeming satisfying or feeling incomplete. Hence, we continually reworked and refined it.”

McQuarrie continued, “Leaving it on a cliffhanger might give the impression that we are expecting the audience to return. That wasn’t what we wanted. Instead, we aimed for a ‘we dare you not to come back’ feeling. We aspire to have viewers thinking, ‘Oh, I’m excited to see what happens next.”

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two is slated for release in cinemas on June 28, 2024, subject to SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. Meanwhile, Part One is playing in theaters, and McQuarrie’s interview can be watched here.

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More about Tom Cruise ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning’ conclusion

• Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One Review
• Interview with Christopher McQuarrie
• Tom Cruise’s Filmography
• Behind the Scenes: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning