Tom Cruise is officially saying goodbye to his iconic role as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, but is the Hollywood A-lister also considering retiring from acting altogether? The 62-year-old superstar made headlines at the film’s New York premiere, where he confirmed that while this is the final chapter for his legendary action hero, he has no intention of slowing down or stepping away from the big screen.
“It’s the final! It’s not called ‘final’ for nothing,” Cruise told The Hollywood Reporter on the red carpet, putting to rest any speculation about more Mission: Impossible films in his future. The eighth installment, which debuted at Cannes last week and is now making its way to theaters worldwide, is being promoted as the last ride for Ethan Hunt—a role Cruise has played since 1996.
But when asked about his own future in the industry, Tom Cruise was quick to set the record straight. Recalling a previous comment about being inspired by Harrison Ford’s longevity, Cruise clarified, “I actually said I’m going to make movies into my 80s; actually, I’m going to make them into my 100s. I will never stop. I will never stop doing action, I will never stop doing drama, comedy films — I’m excited.”
Reflecting on nearly three decades with the Mission: Impossible franchise, Cruise described the experience as “exceptional,” highlighting the many rewards of working with talented filmmakers, crews, and exploring different cultures. “Everything that I’ve learned and continue to learn about storytelling, about life, about leadership, about character and every aspect of filmmaking. It’s been exceptional, it really is exceptional. I feel very fortunate to be able to make the films that I make and I love it. I love just making movies,” he said.
Director Christopher McQuarrie, who returns for his fourth Mission: Impossible film, praised Cruise as “the most giving, most game” collaborator, always ready to dive into new challenges. The film also stars Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, Pom Klementieff, and others, promising a star-studded sendoff for Ethan Hunt.
As for Cruise’s famous pre-stunt rituals? The actor joked, “There’s a lot of pre-stunt rituals that keep me alive — it depends on what I’m doing and the amount of preparation I have to do. A lot of thought goes into it, and they are very complex and very interesting.”
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning hits theaters Friday, but if Cruise has his way, this is far from the last time audiences will see him risking it all on the big screen. Retirement? Not a chance.
