Mission: Impossible 8: Release Date, Cast, And More

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Remember when the most death-defying thing Ethan Hunt ever did was blow up a giant fish tank at that weird aquarium restaurant or ride on top of a speeding train in a tunnel while a helicopter bore down on him? Good times, but also so ... quaint, no? Don't tell that to Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie, however, as the superstar actor and his go-to franchise director are re-teaming once again for both the seventh and eventually the eighth films in the "Mission: Impossible" series. We've previously looked ahead to "Mission: Impossible 7" and all it has in store for us, so now we're peering in deeper into the future to set the table for "Mission: Impossible 8." Join us, won't you?

"Mission: Impossible 8" is currently scheduled for a theatrical release on July 7, 2023. The original plan was for both the seventh and eighth films to film back-to-back, meaning that we would've already been able to see "Mission: Impossible 7" by now (in July of 2021, to be specific) with "Mission: Impossible 8" slated for release in August of 2022. That obviously changed in the wake of the pandemic. Though production on "Mission: Impossible 7" had officially wrapped, the need for Tom Cruise to shoot and promote "Top Gun: Maverick" necessitated that filming on "8" be pushed back. Production on "7" became mired in several COVID-related delays, but all systems appear to be go for "8."

With "Mission: Impossible 7" serving as a sequel to the wildly ambitious and entertaining thrill ride of "Fallout," "8" is shaping up to be a direct sequel to "7." Director Christopher McQuarrie has previously stated his goal for the next two sequels is to "swallow the last three movies whole," which means he'll be adhering to the time-honored tradition of consistently one-upping the last movie in the franchise until, presumably, the "Mission: Impossible" movies pull a "Fast & Furious" and just go to space already ... or maybe not.

With regards to the heights (perhaps literal?) that the next two sequels need to achieve, McQuarrie stated that: 

"You've got to earn that. You've got to make something that swallows the last three movies whole. I'm freaked out now. We've talked ourselves into something. Holy s***." But when it comes to space, the director also added that, "Here's the problem with going to the moon: how do you fall from the moon?" 

Without seeing "Mission: Impossible 7" just yet, it's far too early to say how exactly "8" will unfold. We can't wait to find out, though.

After helming both 2015's "Rogue Nation" and 2018's "Fallout," Chris McQuarrie became the first director in the franchise to come back for another installment. Upon setting that precedent, that streak will now extend to a total of four movies in a row once production on "8" wraps. Though these movies have a habit of letting the cameras roll without a fully formed script, McQuarrie is also credited as the sole screenwriter on the movie after doing the same for "7" (and "6," as well). Composer Lorne Balfe has been confirmed by McQuarrie himself to return for both "7" and "8" after being recruited for (and doing an incredible job on) "Fallout."

It's a safe bet that star Tom Cruise and new "Mission: Impossible" stalwart Rebecca Ferguson will both be back for "8," along with Ethan Hunt's usual crew comprised of Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames. "Fallout" actor Vanessa Kirby has been confirmed to appear in both "7" and "8," while Hayley Atwell took it upon herself to do the same after her surprise casting announcement for the sequels. As if that weren't enough, brace yourselves for the return of original "Mission: Impossible" actor Henry Czerny (who was present for that aforementioned aquarium/restaurant scene), who will be reprising his role the ever-suspicious Kittridge for both sequels.