It's been a wild ride for Mission: Impossible 8, with over 20 months of filming, costly production setbacks, and delays due to strikes. Principal photography started back in March 2022, but the movie is still being shot, with recent scenes filmed in the UK. The long-anticipated trailer and title reveal, however, are finally expected to drop in the next few weeks. According to inside sources, the trailer will be attached to the theatrical release of Gladiator II, creating even more buzz.
Paramount has a lot on the line with this installment. The previous movie, Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One (2023), came with a hefty price tag. Despite grossing $567 million globally, it left the studio facing more than $200 million in losses. With production costs for Mission: Impossible 8 now exceeding $300 million and rising, expectations are sky-high for both critical and commercial success.
The film's journey has been far from smooth. Shooting was paused in mid-2023 due to industry-wide strikes, and production only restarted in March 2024. To add to the delays, a reported $25 million submarine malfunction during filming set things back further. Director Christopher McQuarrie revealed that only 40% of the movie had been shot before the strikes, with major sequences yet to be completed, including its most ambitious action scene.
Initially slated for a June 2024 release, the movie has been pushed back to May 23, 2025. Additionally, the original title, Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part II, has been scrapped for something new, yet to be revealed. Fans are eagerly waiting for what McQuarrie and Tom Cruise have in store.
It's fascinating to witness such a massive production unfold. Despite all the setbacks, the passion behind Mission: Impossible 8 is evident, and it feels like the film is building towards something truly epic. However, with a ballooning budget and multiple delays, Paramount is gambling big. The franchise is known for its high-stakes action, but now, the stakes behind the scenes seem equally intense. Here's hoping the film's ambition pays off.
What are your thoughts on the ongoing delays and rising budget of Mission: Impossible 8? Will it be worth the wait?
