Tom Cruise made a dramatic return to the Cannes Film Festival red carpet on Wednesday, greeted by a live band performing the iconic “Mission: Impossible” theme. The occasion marked a grand celebration of what might be his final appearance as Ethan Hunt in the long-running franchise. Cruise, 62, appeared visibly moved, mouthing “wow” and “bravo” as the music played, before spending time engaging with fans who had waited in the hot Riviera sun for hours to catch a glimpse of the Hollywood icon.
Cruise was joined by his co-stars from “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” including Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, Greg Tarzan Davis, Angela Bassett, Esai Morales, and Hannah Waddingham. The cast walked the famous red carpet together, posing for photographers and taking selfies, before making their way into the prestigious Grand Lumière Theatre.
A host of other celebrities also made an appearance for the highly anticipated premiere. Zoe Saldana and Eva Longoria brought star power to the event, while Andie MacDowell turned heads in a tailored suit. Halle Berry, a member of the Cannes jury, was seen arriving for the screening as well.
The latest installment in the Mission: Impossible series, directed by Christopher McQuarrie, is set to be released in U.S. theaters on May 23. With Cruise reprising his role as the relentless agent Ethan Hunt for the eighth time, the film has generated significant buzz, not just for its action-packed narrative but also for its reported production budget of $400 million.
Cinema operators and industry professionals are hopeful that the film will play a vital role in revitalizing global box office numbers, which have struggled to return to pre-pandemic levels. Last year, U.S. and Canadian box office revenue reached $8.6 billion, still 25% shy of the $11.4 billion peak recorded in 2019. The scale and spectacle of major releases like Mission: Impossible are seen as essential to encouraging audiences back into theaters.
Cruise’s presence at Cannes served as a powerful reminder of his enduring influence in Hollywood and the global appeal of the franchise. As speculation swirls around this being his final turn as Ethan Hunt, fans and industry insiders alike are eager to see how the saga concludes.
READ MORE: