Tom Cruise's Mission: Impossible Return Sparks Speculation with Chloe Zhao Rumors
Just when audiences believed Tom Cruise was preparing to bid farewell to his iconic character Ethan Hunt with 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,' fresh industry reports are suggesting a surprising franchise revival. Months after the project was promoted as the concluding chapter in the long-running 'Mission: Impossible' series, new speculation indicates that a ninth installment may already be in active development with an Oscar-winning filmmaker potentially taking the director's chair.
Chloe Zhao Emerges as Potential Director for Mission: Impossible 9
Rumors have spread rapidly across entertainment circles following a post by the popular anonymous submission account DeuxMoi, which claimed that Tom Cruise has personally approached acclaimed filmmaker Chloe Zhao to write and direct 'Mission: Impossible 9.' While the account explicitly noted that the information came from an anonymous source and "cannot be verified," the report suggested that Cruise himself sought out the director and implied that screenplay development is currently underway.
Chloe Zhao's Impressive Film Career Trajectory
Zhao, celebrated for her groundbreaking work on the Oscar-winning film 'Nomadland' and the currently Oscar-nominated historical drama 'Hamnet,' made a significant transition to mainstream cinema when she directed Marvel Studios' ambitious superhero film 'Eternals.' The 2021 production followed a group of immortal beings tasked with protecting Earth from ancient threats known as Deviants. While the film received mixed box office results, it earned considerable critical praise for its visual style and narrative ambition.
Following her exploration of the superhero genre, Zhao ventured into science fiction territory with the pilot episode for a sequel series to the cult classic 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' which remains in active development at the streaming platform Hulu. If the current rumors prove accurate, Zhao would achieve the historic distinction of becoming both the first new director and first female filmmaker to helm an installment in the 'Mission: Impossible' franchise since its inception.
Chloe Zhao's Historic Oscar Achievements
Chloe Zhao continues to make Oscar history with her latest project 'Hamnet,' which has received eight nominations at this year's Academy Awards. This follows her groundbreaking achievement as only the second woman in Oscar history to win the prestigious Best Director award for her intimate drama 'Nomadland.' She further cemented her place in cinematic history by becoming just the second woman ever to receive multiple Academy Award nominations for Best Director, with her nomination for 'Hamnet' at the upcoming 2026 Oscars. This remarkable accomplishment places her alongside pioneering filmmaker Jane Campion as one of only two women to achieve this significant milestone.
The potential collaboration between Tom Cruise and Chloe Zhao represents a fascinating convergence of blockbuster franchise filmmaking and critically acclaimed artistic vision. While official confirmation remains pending, the entertainment industry is closely monitoring these developments as they could signal a bold new direction for one of Hollywood's most enduring action franchises.
