‘No Replication’: Fans Say It ‘Wouldn’t Be the Same’ If Tom Cruise’s ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Co-Star Replaced Him in the ‘Mission: Impossible’ Franchise
“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” hits theaters on May 23, 2025, featuring Tom Cruise in what could be his final role as Ethan Hunt.
Reports suggest that Tom Cruise is considering his “Top Gun: Maverick” co-star, Glen Powell, to take over as the lead in the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, a move that has sparked strong reactions from longtime fans.
A fan comments on the speculation that Glen Powell could replace Tom Cruise in the “Mission Impossible” franchise, from a post dated November 13, 2024 | Source: Instagram/entertainmenttonight
Powell has responded to the speculations that he might replace Cruise in a conversation with ESPN’s Pat McAfee. The 36-year-old appeared to humorously, dismiss the rumor, “My mom would never let me do that.”
Glen Powell and Tom Cruise attend the Korea Red Carpet for “Top Gun: Maverick” at Lotte World in Seoul, South Korea, on June 19, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
He added a playful jab at the high-risk “Mission: Impossible” franchise, calling it “the worst gig in town, everybody knows that.” “That’s a death trap,” Powell added in reference to the fact that Cruise performs his own stunts in the action series such as scaling tall buildings and driving motorcycles off cliffs.
Fans shared passionate responses to the idea of Powell stepping into Cruise’s shoes in “Mission: Impossible,” with some strongly opposing the idea. One fan declared, “Nobody can replace Tom Cruise in the Mission Impossible franchise.” Another added, “I want Tom Cruise to always start in the Mission Impossible movies. Wouldn’t be the same without him.”
Someone chimed in with their firm stance, “I would not be watching. To me it’s insane how Hollywood tries to push some actors on you.” Others voiced their concerns about Powell stepping in, “Glen will ruin Tom Cruise’s legacy. He shouldn’t deserve it.”
Tom Cruise and Glen Powell attend the screening of “Top Gun: Maverick” during the 75th annual Cannes film festival in Cannes, France, on May 18, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
One fan expressed admiration but was also doubtful, “I love Glen Powell, but I do not think he’s gonna learn how to fly a helicopter or jump out of a plane to...
