Why was Tom Cruise fired as Ethan Hunt? Paramount execs said actor 'really went over the top' with 'Mission: Impossible 3' stunt
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: After ruling screens for four decades, Tom Cruise has now become synonymous with high-octane action. After captivating audiences with his performance in 'Top Gun: Maverick' in 2022, Cruise is now preparing for the return on his other beloved franchise with the upcoming release of 'Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One'. While the new installment has fuelled immense anticipation, Cruise faced a surprising setback in the past when he was fired from the 'Mission: Impossible' franchise.
Cruise, renowned for his portrayal of Ethan Hunt, found himself at the center of controversy when he was reportedly fired from the franchise. Paramount Pictures' chairman Sumner Redstone characterized Cruise as "someone who effectuates creative suicide," leading to his departure from the highly successful film series. This unexpected turn of events sparked discussions and captured the attention of both industry insiders and fans of the 'Mission: Impossible' franchise at that time.
'His recent conduct has not been acceptable'
Known for his daredevil approach to filmmaking, Cruise has become synonymous with performing jaw-dropping stunts in his movies. From cliff rock climbing in 'MI2' to scaling the iconic Burj Khalifa in 'MI4' and even executing a high-altitude jump in 'MI6', Cruise has consistently pushed the boundaries of physicality and thrilled audiences worldwide. However, it was during the filming of 'MI3' that his daring stunts gave the production company a major scare, leading them to sever ties with the actor.
In a public statement issued to the press, Paramount announced the reason for ending their 14-year-long relationship with Cruise. The statement said, as per Yahoo, "We don’t think that someone who effectuates creative suicide and costs the company revenue should be on the lot […] His recent conduct has not been acceptable to Paramount. He had never behaved this way before, he really went over the top."
Tom Cruise was hired back with Jeremy Renner as potential replacement
However, Cruise's misfortunes took a turn as Paramount Pictures had a change of heart and extended an offer for him to return to the 'Mission Impossible' franchise, but it came with a stipulation: Jeremy Renner would join the franchise as a potential future replacement for Cruise's character.
The fourth installment of the series, 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol', proved to be a resounding success, raking in a staggering $700 million at the box office. Cruise continued to portray the beloved character of Ethan Hunt, while Renner joined the cast as William Brandt in 'Ghost Protocol' and the subsequent film, 'Rogue Nation'.
Tom Cruise's 'Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One' is scheduled to release in theatres on July 12.
