There’s always a lengthy gap between Mission: Impossible sequels, although the release of the next film is on the horizon. The series has taken to bringing characters back in recent installments, which has given hope to fans that some of the characters missing will return as well. Still, it doesn’t mean that just because returns are on the cards that everybody should make a comeback.
It has to either make sense within the storyline or feature a character who can adequately be placed in the next film without seeming a random choice. Since certain protagonists have been confirmed to return, this list will look at the ones who are not locked in at present.
Stay Gone: Nyah Nordoff-Hall
The second film usually ranks low in audience review scores for the series due to it being rather generic in quality. Nyah’s character was also the standard female love interest, in that she didn’t have much to do other than be Ethan’s romance for the film.
Her absence has gone unexplained since and the time for her return has expired as far as making sense in-universe is concerned. Since Ethan has had Julia and Ilsa as love interests since then, bringing Nyah back would just turn things into a romantic drama.
Return: Zhen Lei
Zhen Lei was part of the crew in Mission: Impossible III who had a good showing in the movie but for some reason didn’t return for the following entries. It’s a shame since she was a competent agent who could do everything from fight to being a spy.
She can return for the next installment again as part of Ethan’s team, only this time with a personal arc that brings her back with a purpose. Zhen Lei remains one of Maggie Q’s best roles and has too much potential to remain forgotten.
Stay Gone: Solomon Lane
It’s not that Solomon Lane hasn’t been a good villain so far. Quite the contrary, as he’s managed to become the only baddie who’s had an overarching involvement in the series. However, it would be one time too many to see him back yet again.
The Mission: Impossible films are best when they have new villains within each film and Lane’s return would mean treading more of the same ground. It would also entail bringing the plot from as far back as Rogue Nation once again, which is something most don’t want to see.
Return: Theodore Brassel
Another character who was given a good role to play in one movie and disposed of without any real reason. Brassel is easily the nicest authority figure the films have served so far and can adequately fill the role Hunley left behind with his demise.
His return would also bring a sense of continuity, as Mission: Impossible III’s events have already been made relatively irrelevant, with many characters not returning and Ethan’s divorce. Brassel doesn’t quite reach the heights other Laurence Fishburne roles have, and this might be the best time to right that wrong.
Stay Gone: Erica Sloane
The series has improved in critical reception with each new entry, but one way it has gotten worse is by presenting a new authority figure who doesn’t possess much characterization. Erica Sloane was one such character, being nothing but an angry boss person.
There was nothing remarkable or memorable about her, as Fallout treated her in a very forgettable light and only as a placeholder for an authority figure. It’s better to do away with her entirely rather than bring her back for more of the same.
Return: Commander Swanbeck
Swanbeck’s role in Mission: Impossible 2 was so fleeting that it can qualify as a blink-and-miss role for Anthony Hopkins. And yet, his small presence was still interesting enough to warrant a comeback as you got the feeling he had some secrets to hide.
His scenes with Ethan were packed with unexplained tension, signaling a mysterious aura around Swanbeck that can be explored in the next film. His role was also relatively unclear, which can be shown in full if he is to return.
Stay Gone: Atlee
The intrigue behind Atlee was finding out where his loyalties truly lied. This was shown in Mission: Impossible -- Rogue Nation, where Atlee manipulated Ilsa to his own needs. He played his part well in that film, although there’s nothing else he can provide.
Since his true nature has been exposed, Atlee’s return to villainy would basically make him the same as Solomon Lane. Since Lane made a bigger impact than Atlee, if anyone should return it should be him. What would be better is neither coming back, which would allow for Atlee seeing justice in-universe.
Return: Jane Carter
Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol is ranked right at the top of the best films in the series as it had a fine balance between action set pieces and moments of characterization. Jane Carter did get hers, with her arc involving taking down the assassin who killed her lover.
She had a lot more to offer even after that, being a trusted ally to Ethan and a super-competent agent as well. It’s a mystery as to why she’s been kept just to one appearance, and a return in the next film can give fans an explanation over her extended absence.
Stay Gone: Julia Meade
Fans argue that Ghost Protocol was a better movie than Fallout simply because Julia got a better ending in the latter. Her divorce from Ethan was rather needless, but now that it’s been confirmed, Julia needs to walk away from the series.
She’s gotten her happy ending of sorts by being a fighting doctor in her own right and finding love once again. The return she needed was completed in Fallout, and another one doesn’t make sense when considering the storyline requirements.
Return: William Brandt
When considering the best characters in the series, William Brandt’s name is definitely going to come up. He entered with an arc of finding redemption for believing he caused Julia’s death, later returning to lend valuable support in the fight against Solomon Lane.
Now that Jeremy Renner is done with The Avengers films, it makes sense he should return to playing Brandt. The next film is best placed to have him back, seeing as it will deal with a new plot and Brandt can simply be explained as having been engaged in another mission in the previous film.