The 2014 sci-fi hit Edge of Tomorrow could be the next action-packed franchise for Tom Cruise after Mission: Impossible. For 25 years, the Mission: Impossible movies have made an impression on fans, largely thanks to the actor’s commitment to doing his own show-stopping stunts. Over the course of six movies and counting, he has climbed the tallest building in the world, held onto a plane during takeoff, and tackled multiple underwater and aerial stunts. Edge of Tomorrow may be Tom Cruise's best chance of another franchise where he can continue his stunt work, especially since the upcoming sequel is already in development.
Edge of Tomorrow was highly praised for its inventive approach to the common time loop trope, combining Groundhog Day-like repeating events with the high-stakes action of an alien invasion. The film’s visual effects for the alien Mimics also set it apart, as the threat truly felt otherworldly. The first film concluded on an open-ended note, with the day restarting again as the aliens are apparently defeated, but there’s still plenty of material in that conclusion for more movies.
However, the real potential for Edge of Tomorrow to become Cruise’s next lasting franchise lies in its practical effects and stunt work. All of Cruise’s recent movies, like Mission: Impossible, have leaned into practical effects and daring stunts, and Edge of Tomorrow is no exception. Both Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt performed their action in real working exo-suits, which weighed between 85 and 125 pounds and made maneuvering complicated. Both stars had to get in top physical condition for the shoot, and they both sustained many injures during their stunt work, including Cruise falling off of a car during a scene. The next installment could lean into the stunt work even more, especially without the constraints of the beach battle scene the first movie revolved around.
The Mission: Impossible series is several movies in with two more already in the works, but the franchise may be heading for a natural endpoint before many more movies are released. Cruise could have another lasting series waiting in the wings as his Edge of Tomorrow character’s many deaths provide the perfect foundation for the action and stunts at which he excels. The next movie can continue to expand the worldbuilding of the Mimics and their ability to control time, which may have passed to Cruise’s William Cage in the ambiguous ending. The concept can stay fresh with many angles to explore throughout a franchise, and William Cage could easily become the death-defying action hero Ethan Hunt is now.
Tom Cruise shows no sign of stopping in his career in action films, and Edge of Tomorrow is an ideal outlet for his skills when Mission: Impossible slows down. The sequel moving forward will depend on Tom Cruise and his availability, and it may be worth his while to invest in the future of a potential sci-fi action series. Edge of Tomorrow may keep William Cage stuck in the past, but it could be Tom Cruise’s future.