Tom Cruise reflects on 30 years of Mission: Impossible, saying he wouldn’t change a thing. The actor attended the U.S. premiere of The Final Reckoning in New York and praised co-stars and fellow actors. The film hits theaters May 23, following a warm reception at Cannes.
Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise recently expressed deep satisfaction with his decades-long journey in the Mission: Impossible franchise, as he appeared at the U.S. premiere of its eighth installment, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, held at Lincoln Center in New York.
Cruise, accompanied by director and longtime collaborator Christopher McQuarrie, attended the premiere alongside co-stars Angela Bassett, Simon Pegg, Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, Henry Czerny, Tramell Tillman, and Nick Offerman. Speaking to the press, Cruise reflected on his long-standing role as Ethan Hunt and made it clear he has no regrets about the journey.
“If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing,” Cruise told People.com. “I did the best you can, and it’s representing all the efforts of everyone involved at that particular moment. I really see what it takes to make these movies and what I’ve learned about storytelling in this particular genre.”
Cruise also acknowledged the work of others in the industry, highlighting a special moment during the film’s London premiere where actor Michael B. Jordan made a surprise appearance. The two shared a heartfelt hug, and Cruise later praised Jordan’s talent and commitment.
“He’s enormously talented. He’s a great actor. He’s dedicated to his craft. I really respect him,” Cruise said. “I love to see people do well in life. I’ve worked very hard to help people—filmmakers, actors. People know my door is always open.”
The U.S. premiere comes just days after the film received a rousing five-minute standing ovation at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on May 14, a testament to the franchise’s enduring appeal and Cruise’s impact as both an actor and producer.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning ties together decades of storytelling, cleverly weaving elements from previous installments into a high-stakes narrative. The film follows Ethan Hunt and his team as they attempt to stop a dangerously powerful artificial intelligence known as “The Entity”—a threat first introduced in 2023’s Dead Reckoning—from falling into the wrong hands.
As the franchise nears its climax, Cruise remains the cornerstone of a cinematic legacy that has thrilled audiences for nearly 30 years. The Final Reckoning is set to hit theaters on May 23, and anticipation continues to build among fans worldwide.
