What’s in store for Tom Cruise next?

      Is there life after blockbuster action films for Tom Cruise?

      At 62 years old, Tom Cruise presents his latest action venture, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which could mark the conclusion of an eight-film franchise primarily built on the impressive stunts that only Cruise can execute. Whether he's hanging off airplanes, performing underwater feats, or engaging in antics on the tallest buildings, Cruise's commitment to his craft is undeniable. His genuine sincerity and natural charm in portraying Ethan Hunt, a role that, frankly, is not likely to earn him an Oscar, cannot be overlooked either.

      Moreover, his role as Maverick in the Top Gun series, which is gearing up for a third installment potentially in the near future, doesn’t seem to be an Oscar contender either. The very first Mission film introduced audiences to a new dimension of Cruise, featuring him leaping from a window with a surge of water behind him and executing a stunning wire descent. At that point, while he was already a renowned leading man, he wasn't primarily linked to action films aside from occasional appearances in fighter jets or race cars.

      His career subsequently took an unexpected trajectory, partly fueled by success with movies like Minority Report and War of the Worlds. If you were looking for high-concept, big-budget entertainment, Tom Cruise or possibly Will Smith came to mind. Then Marvel arrived, taking over the market, yet Cruise, navigating through controversies and his infamous couch jump, continued to deliver more Missions and increasingly outrageous stunts. So much so that following a dip in public perception before the release of M:I 3, it seemed one of the last remaining movie stars could face being sidelined in Hollywood. A surefire way to face cancellation, even more than controversy, is a streak of box office flops, exemplified by films like Valkyrie.

      However, Cruise is nothing if not tenacious. While M:I 3 was merely a temporary fix, it was Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol that truly transformed the franchise. It evolved from a simple blockbuster to a major tentpole series. Since then, every blockbuster season featuring Ethan Hunt performing death-defying acts has been among the top five most anticipated films of the year.

      While it might have appeared as though Cruise was becoming overly dependent on the character of Hunt, the unexpected success of Top Gun: Maverick showed he still draws audiences outside of those action-centric plots. His dedication to executing stunts himself and keeping the action practical helped make Maverick feel refreshingly new, despite its old-school appeal. Some might argue that Maverick effortlessly outshines Hunt’s escapades, though Fallout remains the pinnacle of Hunt’s missions and stands firm alongside Maverick’s latest adventure.

      We now find ourselves possibly at Hunt’s final chapter. Reviews have been generally positive, though many deem it the weakest since JJ Abrams directed the third installment. Terms like overlong, indulgent, and chaotic reflect the general sentiment, regardless of individual opinions. While the stunts and spectacle continue to impress many, the underwhelming performance of Dead Reckoning adds significant pressure on The Final Reckoning to achieve success.

      For one, we remain uncertain about the current allure of cinematic experiences and their appeal to audiences today. There's also Tom Cruise’s box office history to consider. Has he peaked with Maverick? The previous Mission faced the disadvantage of being released a week before Barbenheimer, a cultural phenomenon that was wholly unanticipated. This has lingering effects, and the continuous delays to the final chapter (if viewing both Reckonings as one) have not helped.

      Looking ahead, Cruise has plans to venture into space in a film with Doug Liman, re-engage in action without a franchise alongside director Christopher McQuarrie, and potentially reprise his aerial role as Maverick in Top Gun 3. His focus remains on delivering engaging blockbuster entertainment that creates a thrilling cinematic experience. However, long-time fans of Cruise feel a part of his versatility as an actor has been absent for some time... the character-driven Cruise.

      Cruise's early career was diverse and intriguing, as he transitioned from large-budget films to more intimate character studies. He has collaborated with remarkable directors like Spielberg, Scorsese, Coppola, Reiner, and Paul Thomas Anderson. He is a three-time Oscar nominee, and even though he might be one of the last great movie stars, Cruise has previously demonstrated a remarkable ability to deeply embody various roles, whether it's Ron Kovic in Born on the Fourth of July or Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder (a role that greatly contributed to his resurgence in popularity).

      Eventually, even the formidable Tom Cruise will find himself having executed one stunt too many. There will come a time when those adrenaline-fueled sprints don’t carry the same impact. Action stars known for their enduring charm eventually face that moment when age catches up. This could manifest as injuries or a gradual decline in physical prowess. Sylvester Stallone exemplified this by risking serious injury in The Ex