Report: Tom Cruise Fighting Paramount Over Mission: Impossible 7 Release
Tom Cruise is reportedly in the midst of a battle with Paramount regarding the theatrical window for Mission: Impossible 7. After the franchise reached new highs with 2018's Mission: Impossible – Fallout, it was announced shortly after that two more Mission: Impossible movies were on the way. They were set to shoot back-to-back, but, upon entering production in Italy, the COVID-19 pandemic ground the shoot (and much of the world) to a halt. Mission: Impossible 7 has been delayed numerous times from its original July 2021 release date and is currently scheduled to hit theaters next summer.
Mission: Impossible 7 marks the continuation of a decades-long partnership between Cruise and Paramount, with the two having worked together on all the Mission: Impossible films, Top Gun, both Jack Reacher movies, and more. It was announced early last year that, breaking tradition from previous installments, Mission: Impossible 7 would have only a 45-day theatrical window before heading to Paramount+, instead of the usual three months. The upcoming seventh film is said to be mostly complete now, and Cruise's M:I co-star Simon Pegg has revealed that he's even seen a sizzle reel for it. Work on Mission: Impossible 8 is ongoing, with Cruise having been spotted several times carrying out various dangerous stunts for the film.
A new report from THR reveals that, behind the scenes, Cruise is reportedly very unhappy with Paramount's planned 45-day theatrical window for Mission: Impossible 7. The star has apparently lawyered up in an attempt to get the movie the previous franchise-standard of 90 days. The report also alleges that language in Cruise's contract stipulates that Mission: Impossible 7 must be handled in a manner consistent with the previous film in the franchise. With finishing touches having yet to be put on Mission: Impossible 7 and with filming ongoing for Mission: Impossible 8, however, Cruise and Paramount have agreed to set the argument aside for the time being.
The Mission: Impossible franchise is one of the most important and beloved Paramount has, as is their ongoing relationship with Cruise. The pandemic drastically altered the way that movies are released, with many new releases, including Paramount's own A Quiet Place Part II, seeing shorter theatrical windows before moving to streaming. Cruise, however, seems highly committed to theatrical experience and to the 90-day theatrical window, and the report from THR would certainly suggest that he's not willing to budge.
It remains to be seen what will happen to the Mission: Impossible 7 release strategy, but given Cruise's star power and the influence he wields over the franchise, it wouldn't be surprising if he does ultimately get his wish. With Mission: Impossible 7 & 8 said to serve as the finale for Cruise's Ethan Hunt character, it's understandable that he wants them to be big theatrical events, and, if Mission: Impossible – Fallout is any indication, the films will likely be huge successes. That being said, the pandemic has changed consumer habits when it comes to movie theaters, and Paramount seems confident that a 45-day theatrical window is the way of the future.
Source: THR