Are you a fan of the Mission: Impossible movies? Well, get ready to have your mind blown with these 10 mind-blowing facts about the franchise that you never knew! From Tom Cruise’s death-defying stunts to surprising twists and cameos from original cast members, there’s so much to discover. Did you know that the films are actually based on a popular TV show from the 60s?

Photo: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)/Paramount Pictures – Filmdb.co.uk

Or that Tom Cruise personally chose the director for the first film? And how about the fact that there were no guns in the first movie? These fascinating details and more await you in this blog post.

So fasten your seatbelts and get ready for an action-packed journey into the world of Mission: Impossible!”

Here are some interesting facts about the Mission: Impossible movies:

10Based on a TV series

The Mission: Impossible film series is actually based on a popular 1960s TV show of the same name. The original TV series ran from 1966 to 1973.

9Tom Cruise did his own stunts

Tom Cruise is known for performing his own stunts, and the Mission: Impossible movies are no exception. He has done some incredible and dangerous stunts, including hanging off the side of a plane and scaling the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

8The show’s cast didn’t like the films

Some of the original cast members from the TV show were critical of the film adaptations. They felt that the movies were too focused on action and lacked the character-driven storytelling of the TV series.

7Decoy actors in the third film

In Mission: Impossible III, the filmmakers used decoy actors to mislead paparazzi and fans. They filmed scenes with different actors playing Ethan Hunt in order to keep Tom Cruise’s involvement a secret.

6It’s the 18th highest-grossing film franchise

As of 2023, the Mission: Impossible film franchise is the 18th highest-grossing film franchise of all time, with a combined worldwide box office gross of over $3.5 billion.

5Tom Cruise chose the director

For the first film, Tom Cruise personally chose Brian De Palma as the director. Cruise was a fan of De Palma’s work and felt that he would bring a unique vision to the project.

4No guns in the first film

In a surprising twist, the first Mission: Impossible film did not feature any gun action. There were no firefights or shootouts, and Tom Cruise’s character Ethan Hunt did not use a gun. This departure from typical action movie tropes didn’t hinder the film’s success.

3Return of original cast members

Several original cast members from the TV series made appearances in the Mission: Impossible films. Martin Landau, Barbara Bain, and Greg Morris, who played prominent roles in the TV show, had cameos in the first film.

2Loyal producer

Tom Cruise has worked closely with producer J.J. Abrams on multiple Mission: Impossible films. Abrams has produced four of the movies in the franchise and has helped shape its direction and success.

1A mix of directors

The Mission: Impossible films have had a variety of directors throughout the series. Brian De Palma directed the first film, followed by John Woo, J.J. Abrams, Brad Bird, Christopher McQuarrie, and more recently, Christopher McQuarrie again for the last two films.

Conclusion

These facts about the Mission: Impossible film franchise show just how much excitement, creativity, and dedication goes into bringing these action-packed movies to life. From incredible stunts performed by Tom Cruise himself to the involvement of original cast members from the TV series, there is a rich history behind each and every one of these films.

As we eagerly await the release of future installments in this successful franchise, let’s appreciate all that has been accomplished so far and look forward to what surprises lie ahead for Ethan Hunt and his team.