After ‘Creed’, I Want Michael B. Jordan to Lead ‘Mission: Impossible’ Amid Tom Cruise’s Mega Update

Michael B. Jordan could be the perfect fit for a ‘Mission: Impossible’ relaunch after Tom Cruise hints at ‘The Final Reckoning’ being his last run.

Hollywood and Mission: Impossible’s fanbase was shook when Tom Cruise confirmed The Final Reckoning will be his last ride as Ethan Hunt. For almost 3 decades, Cruise has blessed screens with espionage thrills and death-defying stunts. But as the spotlight is slowly starting to dim on his tenure, conversations have inevitably swerved towards who the baton could be passed to.

This is where Michael B. Jordan comes in. The Creed star has already proven his ability to breathe life into iconic franchises. From carrying the Rocky legacy to helming Creed III as both the lead and director, Jordan wouldn’t just be a safe bet, but the Mission: Impossible franchise’s best option; the thought of Jordan leading the next phase of the franchise feels like the perfect transition.

Michael B. Jordan could be Tom Cruise’s successor in the Mission: Impossible franchise

Michael B. Jordan in Creed III (Credit: Warner Bros.)

Michael B. Jordan’s rise in Hollywood has been nothing short of a marvel to witness. Best known for his popular role as Adonis Creed, a name once synonymous with Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky universe, Jordan didn’t just succeed at keeping the franchise alive; he essentially evolved it. His directorial debut with Creed III reeled in over $276 million in global returns (via Box Office Mojo), solidifying his power behind the camera. More importantly, Jordan was able to prove he knows how to make a franchise his own while honoring its legacy.

Now, with Tom Cruise hinting at The Final Reckoning being his last Mission: Impossible film (Via THR on Instagram), speculations about a possible franchise reboot were expected. And who better to pass the IMF torch to than the actor who so gracefully took on Rocky’s legacy?

Related

Michael B Jordan’s Favorite Anime Villain is from Bleach: He Can’t Even Spell Arrancar Right But We Still Love Him

Jordan has both the physical grit and the screen presence to front-line a franchise built on high-stakes action. With his background in navigating sequels, audience expectations, and cinematic pressure, he wouldn’t just be replacing Cruise, but adding something new on familiar ground. We know Cruise is already keen on working with Jordan, imagine how epic it would be if the two got together for a Mission: Impossible reboot.

Michael B. Jordan could do for Tom Cruise what he did for Sylvester Stallone

A potential Jordan succession wouldn’t be the first time Paramount has flirted with the idea. Back in 2011, William Brandt (Jeremy Renner) was softly introduced as a possible heir. However, the transition never took off. According to an interview with Variety, Renner turned down appearances after Rogue Nation. He recalled:

I remember they tried to bring me over[seas] for a week so they could kill my character, and I was like, ‘No, you don’t get to do that. You’re not going to drag me over there and just kill my character,’ like get out of here!

Renner’s open-ended exit from the franchise led to a halt in any forward motion.

Related

Michael B Jordan’s ‘Sinners’ Co-star Miles Caton Wants to Join the MCU as 1 Character Who’ll Give Tom Holland a Run For His Money

Bringing Michael B. Jordan in for a franchise relaunch would give the creators a very clean, audience-ready solution. Unlike Renner, Jordan has experience in successfully running a franchise. He didn’t simply continue Creed, he redefined it, and offered a fresh storyline while honoring the original emotional legacy Sylvester Stallone built. Not to mention, he also has blockbuster cred from Black Panther, action cred from Without Remorse, and a natural charm that sells personal and global stakes in equal measure.

Michael B. Jordan in Without Remorse (Credit: Paramount Pictures)

So, with the future of the Mission: Impossible franchise hanging in the balance, Paramount has a rare opportunity to bring in Michael B. Jordan as its next spy. As someone who knows what it takes to justly carry the weight of a long-standing legacy and add to it their unique perspective, Jordan truly stands as the film series’ best bet if a relaunch would ever be considered.