Five Unmade ‘Mission: Impossible’ Movies That Could Have Changed Everything

Oliver Stone – ‘Mission: Impossible II’

After Brian De Palma set the tone for the Mission: Impossible franchise, Tom Cruise and his producing partner Paula Wagner aimed for a new direction in the sequel. They envisioned each film showcasing a distinct style, leading them to hire a different director for each installment. Their first target for Mission: Impossible II was acclaimed filmmaker Oliver Stone, known for classics like Platoon and Wall Street.

At that time, Stone had largely avoided action blockbusters, preferring to create original narratives. However, his prior collaboration with Cruise on Born on the Fourth of July convinced him to join the project. Stone teamed up with screenwriter David Marconi to draft a script in which Ethan Hunt and his team battled an evil supercomputer. The script featured elements where the computer spun intricate simulations, even placing Hunt in a surreal, AI-created Garden of Eden.

Ultimately, the duo’s vision diverged too much from Cruise’s expectations, leading to the the scrapping of their version in favor of John Woo’s vibrant action-packed creation. Interestingly, elements from Stone’s original plot resonate with what Christopher McQuarrie later explored in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, particularly the concept of a menacing AI known as ‘The Entity’ that manipulates Hunt.

David Fincher – ‘Mission: Impossible III’

Following Woo’s explosive mix of action, romance, and intrigue, Cruise sought another radical shift for Mission: Impossible III. He approached renowned director David Fincher, famous for his dark and gripping stories in films like Se7en and Fight Club. Surprisingly, Fincher agreed to the project in 2002, but it soon became apparent that his distinctively bleak style didn’t align well with the franchise’s more adventurous tone.

The plot Fincher envisioned was steeped in darkness, exploring the African black market for organ trafficking. Sadly, it lacked the action intensity expected from a Mission: Impossible film, prompting Cruise to part ways with the director. In a 2022 appearance on the Light the Fuse podcast, Cruise shared vague insights into their split, acknowledging that it just “would’ve been very different” from what the franchise required—more thrills and fewer grim themes.

Joe Carnahan – ‘Mission: Impossible III’

After dismissing Fincher, Cruise turned to an unexpected choice: Joe Carnahan, known for high-octane films like Smokin’ Aces and The Grey. Carnahan, who had only one successful film to his name at that point, caught Cruise’s attention after he directed the acclaimed drama Narc, which Cruise helped distribute as a producer.

His initial vision for Mission: Impossible III balanced the styles of Woo and Fincher. Carnahan aimed to make it the most “punk rock” installment yet while ensuring it delivered on action. Set against an African backdrop, his plot revolved around themes of militarization and an antagonist reminiscent of the Oklahoma City Bomber.

However, the film’s scope proved too modest for Cruise and Paramount’s expectations, leading to legendary screenwriter Robert Towne being brought in for rewrites. Carnahan found the revisions too similar to previous installments and ultimately walked away, citing “creative differences” and feeling artistically constrained.

Ben Trebilcook – ‘Mission: Impossible III’

Among the heavyweights associated with unmade Mission: Impossible films, Ben Trebilcook stands out as an unexpected contender. An English screenwriter with limited credits, including one low-budget horror film, Trebilcook’s journey began with a spec script for Die Hard 4. His determination led him to call Fox directly, which ultimately led to securing representation and a contact from Cruise’s production company.

Excited by the opportunity, Trebilcook rewrote an old action screenplay as an Ethan Hunt feature. However, following the events of 9/11, elements of his script became inappropriate, causing it to be shelved indefinitely. Despite continuing to write, his Hollywood dreams faded, with little coming to fruition in the ensuing years.

Edgar Wright – ‘Mission: Impossible IV’

In 2010, Cruise approached filmmaker Edgar Wright, hoping to entice him to direct Mission: Impossible IV. Awaiting him was a already-written script by André Nemec and Josh Appelbaum, making it a potentially fruitful collaboration since Wright had previously worked with Simon Pegg, a series staple.

Despite initial interest, Wright had to decline the offer, citing prior commitments related to Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. However, in a 2023 interview, he revealed that he also preferred to remain a fan of the franchise, fearing that his involvement might jeopardize its legacy.

Ultimately, Wright attended the premiere of Brad Bird’s Ghost Protocol and enjoyed it thoroughly, feeling no regret over his decision. Interestingly, he would later influence the franchise when he pointed out a confusing audio cue during a screening of McQuarrie’s Dead Reckoning, suggesting his insights can still play a role in the series’ success.

Despite their absence from the final lineup, these unmade films offer fascinating glimpses into what could have been for the Mission: Impossible franchise.