Angela Bassett had no desire to do any stunts in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. The action franchise is known for its death-defying practical stunts that have become a hallmark of the series.
The 66-year-old actress returns to the action franchise as U.S. President Erika Sloane in the new blockbuster and revealed that she is glad that she didn’t have to do any high-octane scenes alongside co-star Tom Cruise. Cruise continues to perform his own stunts despite the significant physical risks involved in such sequences.
“There is no part of me whatsoever that thinks that, dreams that, hopes that and longs for that,” Bassett said, speaking to HeyUGuys.com. “I am gobsmacked by that (Cruise’s stunts).” The Mission: Impossible franchise is renowned for featuring some of the most dangerous stunts in cinema history, with Cruise famously hanging from the Burj Khalifa and clinging to the side of an airplane.
Bassett returns to the franchise
Bassett returns to a part she first played in the 2018 film Mission: Impossible – Fallout and explained that she was stunned to be offered a role in the long-running film series. The Fallout installment received critical acclaim for its practical action sequences and marked Bassett‘s entrance into the beloved franchise.
“I got a phone call from my agent… I suppose he called her or his people called my people,” she said when asked if Cruise had approached her about the movie. “I got a phone call, I remember I was at home, I was in my kitchen. I picked up my phone and it was like, ‘Hey, they want you to come and do Mission: Impossible and I was like, ‘The animated series?’ I’m thinking of some other ‘Mission: Impossible’ – no, the ‘Mission: Impossible’.” The original “Mission: Impossible” television series served as the foundation for what would become one of cinema’s most successful action franchises.
The Oscar-nominated star has been working in the film industry for more than 30 years and described Mission: Impossible as one of her most significant projects because of the franchise’s huge global appeal. Bassett‘s career includes iconic roles in biographical dramas like What’s Love Got to Do with It and superhero blockbusters, establishing her as one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses.
‘It’s humongous,’ Bassett says
“It is among the most exciting. It’s humungous, global,” Bassett said. “The audiences have been there from the beginning so to come into the franchise at No. 6 and not drag it down … it’s been a very, very special experience.” The Mission: Impossible franchise has maintained consistent box office success and critical acclaim throughout its theatrical run.
Although Bassett is not involved in any dramatic scenes, she did enjoy tense political scenes with her co-stars Holt McCallany and Janet McTeer and forged a close bond with those on set. McCallany is known for his work in psychological crime series, while McTeer has appeared in numerous acclaimed films spanning various genres.
“All around the table, they’re a great bunch of guys to spend weeks and days and hours in a room with,” Bassett said. “Not only are they brilliant actors but they are hysterical, they have great stories to share, especially Holt, he’s a good storyteller. We had a great time.” The camaraderie among cast members has been a consistent theme throughout the Mission: Impossible series, with many actors developing lasting friendships during production.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning has been billed as the last movie in the franchise and star Simon Pegg finds it “bittersweet” that things are coming to an end. Pegg has become an integral part of the Mission: Impossible family since joining the franchise, bringing both technical expertise and comic relief to the intense action sequences.
“It’s strange. It’s bittersweet, is the best way I can describe it,” The 55-year-old star, who portrays technician Benji Dunn, told Collider. “It’s been such a ride. It’s been such an amazing experience. I feel grateful, and I feel sad, and I’m excited for people to see this movie. I mean, what an incredible wrapping up.” The Final Reckoning promises to deliver the most spectacular conclusion possible for the beloved franchise.
Director Christopher McQuarrie, who has helmed the recent Mission: Impossible films, has crafted a finale that honors the legacy while providing satisfying closure. The production involved extensive international filming locations and cutting-edge practical effects that maintain the franchise’s commitment to authentic action sequences. Industry experts anticipate that The Final Reckoning will set new standards for action filmmaking while bringing emotional depth to the conclusion of this cinematic journey.
