News that Eugene Kittidge (Henry Czerny) is returning for Mission: Impossible 7 is a seriously exciting development for the franchise. The former IMF director was last seen at the climax of the first film in the iconic spy series, raising question marks over his whereabouts during the last 25 years. However, given the character's central role in the power structure of the IMF and his impact on the events of the first movie, Kittridge's return brings with it several intriguing possibilities.

Along with the rest of the IMF, Kittridge functions as a pseudo-antagonist throughout the course of the first Mission: Impossible movie. After an IMF team is killed during a mission, Kittridge mistakenly believes that Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt has betrayed the organization, and spends the rest of the film attempting to bring him to justice. It's only after Hunt successfully clears his name with the help of compatriot Luther Stickell that Kittridge finally accepts that he was wrong about Hunt.

Related: Why Tom Cruise Needs Top Gun 2 To Succeed More Than Mission: Impossible 7

Given the lengths that Kittridge was prepared to go – even arresting his mother and uncle on drug trafficking charges – in order to get Hunt, the former IMF director has long been regarded as a perfect foil for Cruise's legendary super spy. His smarmy, sneering demeanor, and key part in the iconic exploding restaurant stunt from the first film, have made him a firm favorite among fans of the series. However, beyond his role as the bureaucrat that everyone loves to hate, Kittridge's return also has several other exciting implications for the rest of the series – specifically concerning Venessa Kirby's character and the entire IMF as an organization.

Tom Cruise and Henry Czerny in Mission: Impossible.

Since she was introduced in Mission: Impossible Fallout, Kirby's White Widow – also known as Alanna – has acted as an untrustworthy ally for Hunt. However, her backstory tells us that she is actually the daughter of the arms dealer Max (Vanessa Redgrave) from the first film. Max and Kittridge actually have a close connection, since we see the two characters together at the end of the movie, alongside the recovered NOC list. The fact that both White Widow and Kittridge are set to appear in Mission: Impossible 7 could hint at a link to arms dealing throughout the upcoming film.

In addition to Kittridge's link to Max and her family, the character's return could also hint at a new chapter for the IMF. Following the death of Alec Baldwin's Hunley, the fact that Kittridge is making a comeback could suggest that he will play a prominent role in the organization. Given that he and Hunt have hardly seen eye to eye throughout the rest of the series, this could set the stage for a fractious working relationship – especially if Kittridge's connections to Max become a key plot point. Considering these exciting possibilities, Kittridge's return is a welcome addition to the Mission: Impossible 7 line-up.

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