The following contains spoilers for Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, now playing in theatersEthan Hunt's adventures were a reminder that big action set-pieces and compelling stars could carry a franchise to massive success. Now, nearly three decades after he first took on the role, Cruise might have given Hunt the ideal send-off.

The latest entry in the series quietly positions itself as a fitting finale for the franchise, paying tribute to previous entries while also giving Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning's characters a satisfying arc. The series could easily continue in the future, shifting focus to long-time ing players like Benji or fairly recent additions to the franchise like Grace and Paris. However, this all raises questions about Tom Cruise's future in the series, and if Ethan Hunt's fate in the new film will be the final word on the character or if it's purposefully setting up his return.

Does Ethan Hunt Die In Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning?

Ethan Briefly Drowns, But Is Revived And Survives The Rest Of The Movie

Ethan Hunt survives the events of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, but the series still has the best natural way to write the character into retirement while feeling in-character. Ethan Hunt's unyielding commitment to protecting the world is on full display in The Final Reckoning, which throws him from the deepest oceans to the skies above the Earth during his mission to stop the Entity and prevent people like Gabriel from claiming it. To that end, Ethan is pushed to the physical edge multiple times, even drowning during one leg of the mission only to be revived by Grace.

The film ends with Ethan coming out on top of his battle with Gabriel, parachuting to safety after ensuring that Grace had an opportunity to snag the Entity into their digital trap. Although he's beaten and bruised, Ethan ends the film in relatively good shape with the US Government seemingly accepting his disappearance. In theory, the character could easily return for another adventure. However, The Final Reckoning does set the stage for Ethan to actually be removed from the franchise going forward in a way that allows him to survive but be otherwise committed to a long-term mission.

Ethan Hunt's New Assignment In Mission: Impossible Could Easily Be His Last

Ethan May Have Gotten His Last (And Most Important) Mission Ever

One of the big moral debates Ethan faces in The Final Reckoning is the fate of the Entity. Due to the invasive nature that artificial intelligence has had on global technology, simply destroying the Entity would demolish societal boundaries and set technology back decades if not centuries. This would also kill countless lives across the world. However, allowing the Entity to exist, even in a trapped form, could give governments or independent players plenty of reason to hunt it down and use it to take over the world.

Ethan ultimately decides he can't destroy it, but can't give it to any military or world government, as the temptation to use it would be too strong. He even notes that leaving it with him isn't the best idea, as he's just as corruptible as any other man. However, Grace and the rest of the IMF team argue that Ethan is the exact kind of person who should possess the drive, as he's one of the few people on Earth who wouldn't want the power that comes with it.

Ethan is ultimately implied to go off the grid with the Entity in his possession. In essence, Ethan's new mission is to remain hidden from the world, including the allies and governments he's worked with in the past. This way, the Entity won't have to be destroyed, but Ethan can trust that no one can easily wield the power of the Entity for their own purposes. It's a clever way to give Ethan a mission that can be carried out largely off-screen, effectively retiring the character from active stories but keeping him alive and content in the franchise lore.

Will There Be A Mission: Impossible 9 (And Will Ethan Hunt Be In It)?

A New Iteration Of The IMF Could Carry The Series Into The Future

At the time of writing, there has not been any confirmation that a ninth film in the Mission: Impossible is happening or not. Director Christopher McQuarrie hinted in 2023 that he and Tom Cruise have been developing the future of the series, with Cruise even comparing his commitment to the character of Ethan to that of Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. The ending of Final Reckoning seems to cement that idea, leaving the door open for Ethan to easily return in future stories while also allowing him a sense of closure if this is where the series ends.

As reported by Screen Rant, Tom Cruise has noted his love for Ethan Hunt and Mission: Impossible could keeping him back to the series until he's in his 80's.

It's unlikely that Final Reckoning will be the final entry in the entire Mission: Impossible franchise. The series predates Tom Cruise's involvement, although his casting as Ethan Hunt definitely transformed the action TV series into a marquee blockbuster franchise. However, Final Reckoning is designed as something of a victory lap for Ethan Hunt, with the film recalling many previous characters or big twists. It also gives Ethan some of his most exciting and dangerous stunts ever. If it were the last Ethan Hunt story, it would be a perfect capstone for the character.

Ethan Hunt Should Stay Retired After Final Reckoning

Tom Cruise Has The Perfect Way To Give Ethan Hunt A Fitting Ending

In fact, Ethan Hunt's ending in Final Reckoning is probably the best ending possible for the character. It doesn't kill him off for cheap emotions, and it doesn't betray the character's inherent sense of duty by simply having him retire. Ethan was never going to simply walk away from his duties, especially after his previous chances were thwarted in other movies in the series. Giving Ethan an eternal mission to protect the Entity means he still feels like Ethan, even if he is no longer in the spotlight of the series.

Much of Final Reckoning feels like a victory lap for one of modern Hollywood's most enduring stars. Final Reckoning seems to even recognize that, as the ending also cements a new IMF team that could take up the lead roles in the series going forward.. Led by Benji, the team now consists of new characters like Grace, Degas, and Paris. The series could continue but be about them, bringing new life to the series even if the marquee star of the franchise steps away.

This might be the best course of action, as it allows the franchise to continue while also letting Ethan Hunt go out on a satisfying character beat. The idea that Ethan could never fully retire makes sense, but giving him a mission that keeps him out of active danger might allow him to find some sense of peace. Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning doesn't kill off Ethan Hunt, but it did find the perfect way to write him out of the series to allow for a new generation of agents to take over the future of the franchise.