Cast members say they are "shocked" by Mission: Impossible 8 - Tom Cruise takes on the production as an adventure film

Image Credit: Paramount Pictures

The next installment of the popular action series starring Tom Cruise, Mission: Impossible 8 (working title), is expected to directly continue the story depicted in the previous film, Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One (2023), but according to Shea Whigham, who will reprise the role of Jasper Briggs, there will be some shocking content in it...

In the previous film, Dead Reckoning Part One, Ethan Hunt, played by Tom, traveled around the world to prevent the release of the artificial intelligence "Entity" that could lead to the destruction of the world. Filming of the sequel, the eighth film, has been taking place since the end of the actors' strike in November 2023, but it seems that some actors have already wrapped up their roles, and Whigham, who plays Jasper, finished filming in late May.

Looking back on the filming of the eighth movie with The Hollywood Reporter, Whigham reported that Tom is still working on the film. "We're done, but he's not done yet," he said and predicted about Tom on the set, "You'll be shocked at what he's doing." According to Whigham, Tom wants to make the next movie an "adventure movie." Although "Mission: Impossible" is a thrilling spy action movie and already includes adventure elements, we can expect a more powerful Ethan adventure story. Whigham said, "Tom and (director Christopher) McQuarrie have ideas. It's going to be great."

Tom, Whigham, Simon Pegg as Benji, Ving Rhames as Luther, and Hayley Atwell as Grace are all scheduled to reprise their roles in the eighth movie. New cast members include Hannah Waddingham from "Ted Lasso: The Rise of the Wacky Coach" (2020-), Katie O'Brien from "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" (2023), Holt McCallany from "Iron Claw" (2023), and Nick Offerman from "The Last of Us" (2023-).

Shea Whigham, who played Jasper Briggs in the seventh film in the Mission: Impossible series, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning - Part One, starring Tom Cruise, made a big request to director and screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie when he decided to continue in Mission: Impossible 8 (working title). The request was to have Tom Cruise all to himself for one scene in the film. Jasper, played by Whigham, is a CIA agent who is ordered to capture Ethan Hunt, played by Tom, and his friends. In "Dead Reckoning Part One," he and his partner Doga (Greg Davis) pursue Ethan around the world.

Whigham recently finished filming his part in the eighth movie in late May. One of the scenes was with Ethan, and Whigham himself managed to get the scene by negotiating with him on the set of the previous movie. Whigham recalled the exchange at the time as follows:

"I told Christopher McQuarrie, 'I don't want a big trailer,'" he said. "I don't want more money, better catering, or anything like that. I just want a scene with Tom and me."

Director McQuarrie, who apparently listened to the actors' heartfelt pleas, wrote a scene reminiscent of The Usual Suspects (1996), which he also wrote the screenplay for. "He did it," Whigham said in gratitude to the director. Whigham wrapped up filming early with a scene he co-starred with Tom, and after filming was over, Tom apparently invited him to dinner. It must have been a much more satisfying meal than a catered meal. The eighth installment of the "Mission: Impossible" series will be released in the US on May 23, 2025.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter