As Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning gears up to be the explosive final chapter in the legendary franchise, fans are buzzing about which familiar faces might make a comeback.
With Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt leading the charge, the franchise’s history is packed with memorable allies, formidable foes, and unforgettable love interests. But not everyone is confirmed for this last ride.
Here are the top 10 Mission: Impossible characters missing from The Final Reckoning, ranked by how likely they are to return based on franchise history, narrative potential, and recent buzz.
1. William Brandt (Jeremy Renner) – Most Likely
Jeremy Renner’s William Brandt was a standout in Ghost Protocol and Rogue Nation, serving as a crucial member of Ethan’s team. Renner’s absence in the last two films was due to scheduling conflicts, not narrative closure.
Renner has expressed openness to return if the story fits, and his character’s fate was left unresolved, making Brandt the most likely candidate for a surprise comeback.
2. Solomon Lane (Sean Harris)
As the franchise’s most memorable recurring villain, Solomon Lane’s fate was left open after Fallout-he’s alive and in IMF custody.
His vendetta against Ethan and the IMF makes him a prime candidate for a showdown, especially if the film aims to tie up all loose ends with its most dangerous adversaries.
3. Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson)
Ilsa Faust’s apparent death in Dead Reckoning – Part One shocked fans, but the ambiguous nature of her demise (and the franchise’s history of fake-outs) has fueled speculation about her return.
Even if she is not alive, flashbacks or dream sequences could bring her back to provide closure for her and Ethan’s relationship.
4. Julia Meade (Michelle Monaghan)
Ethan’s former wife, Julia, has been central to his emotional journey. While her story seemed to conclude in Fallout, the significance of her relationship with Ethan means she could return for a final emotional send-off, especially if the franchise is truly ending.
5. Jane Carter (Paula Patton)
A fan-favorite from Ghost Protocol, Jane Carter’s absence has been attributed to scheduling conflicts.
Her character is still alive and could easily return to the IMF fold for one last mission, giving fans a nostalgic team-up.
6. Zhen Lei (Maggie Q)
Zhen Lei brought charisma and skill to Mission: Impossible III, but scheduling conflicts kept Maggie Q from reprising her role in later films.
With the franchise’s focus on legacy, Zhen’s return would be a natural fit, especially for a final team assembly.
7. Alan Hunley (Alec Baldwin)
The former IMF Director’s death in Fallout was dramatic, but as with many spy franchises, death isn’t always the end. There’s room for a twist revealing Hunley faked his death, allowing Alec Baldwin’s character to return for a final act of leadership.
8. Nyah Nordoff-Hall (Thandiwe Newton)
Nyah, the skilled thief and Ethan’s love interest from Mission: Impossible 2, remains in the franchise’s universe. Her return would be a deep-cut for longtime fans and could provide a unique dynamic, especially as the series reflects on Ethan’s past.
9. Commander Swanbeck (Anthony Hopkins)
Anthony Hopkins’ cameo as Commander Swanbeck in Mission: Impossible 2 left many questions unanswered. Given Hopkins’ stature and the character’s mysterious fate, a brief appearance would be a major treat for fans and a fitting nod to the franchise’s legacy.
10. Jack Harmon (Emilio Estevez)
Jack Harmon, part of Ethan’s original team in the 1996 film, met a grisly end with the franchise’s increased use of flashbacks and callbacks; a cameo or reference could serve as a poignant reminder of Ethan’s journey from the beginning.
Why These Mission: Impossible Characters Could Return
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is positioned as the franchise’s swan song, making it the perfect opportunity for cameos, flashbacks, and emotional reunions. With legacy, nostalgia, and closure trending as major film themes in 2025, expect some surprises as Ethan Hunt’s story comes full circle.
Whether it’s long-lost teammates, formidable villains, or old flames, these missing characters could make The Final Reckoning the most unforgettable Mission: Impossible yet.
About Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is an upcoming American action spy film directed by Christopher McQuarrie from a screenplay he co-wrote with Erik Jendresen. It is a direct sequel to Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) and the eighth installment in the Mission: Impossible film series.[1] Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Angela Bassett, and Henry Czerny all reprise their roles from the previous films.
In January 2019, Cruise announced that the seventh and eighth Mission: Impossible films would be shot back-to-back with McQuarrie writing and directing both films. Plans for the film later changed in February 2021. Returning and new cast members were announced soon after, and Lorne Balfe, who composed the scores for two previous films in the series, returned to score the film. Filming began in March 2022 in the United Kingdom, with other filming locations including Malta, South Africa and Norway.
Production was halted in July 2023 due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, and resumed in March 2024 before wrapping in November 2024. The film, originally titled Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two, dropped its subtitle in October 2023. In November 2024, the film’s subtitle was confirmed as The Final Reckoning.
The Final Reckoning is scheduled to be released in the United States on May 23, 2025, by Paramount Pictures.
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