Acclaimed filmmaker Chloé Zhao, fresh from her Golden Globe-winning success with ‘Hamnet,’ is reportedly being considered to direct the ninth installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise. This potential collaboration with Tom Cruise would mark a significant departure for both the Oscar-winning director and the long-running action series.
Industry speculation intensified when celebrity news outlet Deuxmoi reported that Cruise had approached Zhao about either writing or directing the next chapter. While neither party has confirmed the discussions, the move would represent a strategic shift for the franchise following the perceived conclusion with last year’s ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.’
Zhao’s directorial journey demonstrates remarkable versatility. After winning the Academy Award for Best Director for ‘Nomadland’ in 2020—becoming only the second woman to achieve this honor—she ventured into blockbuster territory with Marvel’s ‘Eternals’ in 2021. This experience in large-scale production could prove valuable should she take on the Mission: Impossible series, known for its elaborate stunts and high-octane action sequences.
The franchise has been under the consistent direction of Christopher McQuarrie since 2015, making Zhao’s potential involvement particularly noteworthy. Financial considerations may be influencing this possible change: despite grossing approximately $600 million globally, ‘The Final Reckoning’ faced substantial production and marketing costs nearing $400 million, potentially prompting producers to seek fresh creative direction with budget consciousness.
Tom Cruise remained characteristically enigmatic about the franchise’s future when questioned at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, preferring to focus on the current release rather than speculate about subsequent installments. As the industry watches for official confirmation, Zhao’s potential involvement signals an intriguing convergence of arthouse sensibility and mainstream action cinema.