Tom Cruise starrer Mission Impossible 8 delayed to 2025 amid SAG-AFTRA strike

In a surprising turn of events, Paramount Pictures has announced the delay of the highly anticipated eighth installment in the Mission: Impossible franchise. Originally slated for a June 28, 2024 release, Mission: Impossible has been pushed back to May 23, 2025, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the next thrilling adventure of IMF agent Ethan Hunt, portrayed by Tom Cruise.

Why did Mission: Impossible 8 get postponed?

The decision to postpone Mission: Impossible was driven by a series of unfortunate events, including the production shutdown to allow Cruise and the cast to promote the first part of the series, titled Dead Reckoning, Part 1. Following the promotional activities, the production faced a setback in the form of the SAG-AFTRA strike, preventing the cast from returning to work on the movie.

Notably, the sequel had been titled Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part Two but is now simply listed currently as Mission: Impossible.

This unexpected delay has raised concerns within the industry and more tentpole movies are likely to be pushed back.

Dead Reckoning, Part 1, which hit theatres in July, managed to gross an impressive $567.5 million globally. The Mission: Impossible franchise is known for its action-packed sequences and exotic filming locations across the globe. It has been a fan favorite since its inception in 1996, based on the 1960s TV show.

More about the cast of Mission Impossible 8

The eighth installment promises to continue the legacy. Apart from Cruise, the returning cast members include Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, and Vanessa Kirby. Director Christopher McQuarrie, renowned for his work on previous Mission: Impossible films, is helming the right installment.

As Paramount Pictures navigates these hurdles, other film projects under the studio's banner have also witnessed shifts in their release dates including A Quiet Place: Day One, which has been pushed back two months as it reshuffles its 2024 calendar amid the ongoing strike.