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New Rumors Surface About Mission: Impossible 9
A fresh rumor circulating online claims that Oscar-winner Chloe Zhao has been tapped to write and direct Mission: Impossible 9, the next chapter in Tom Cruise’s long-running action franchise. The scoop originated from celebrity gossip account DeuxMoi, which says Cruise has already met with Zhao and that the pair have discussed early story ideas. As with most social-media-born reports, this one remains unconfirmed by major industry outlets.
Why this would be a striking creative turn
Chloe Zhao is best known for intimate, naturalistic films like Nomadland and the visually atmospheric Eternals. A Mission: Impossible film under her direction would represent a tonal pivot for a franchise defined by high-octane practical stunts, globe-trotting set pieces, and Christopher McQuarrie’s recent troika of installments. Zhao’s sensibility leans toward quiet character moments and sweeping landscapes, so fans and critics alike are imagining what a collision of her cinematic language with the franchise’s blockbuster mechanics could look like.
Comparisons are inevitable: McQuarrie brought kinetic set pieces and a dense puzzle-box plotting that matched Cruise’s daredevil persona. Zhao might deliver something more contemplative, perhaps emphasizing character stakes over spectacle, or she could scale up her visual lyricism to match the franchise’s expectations. Either way, the choice would follow a growing industry trend of hiring auteurs to refresh long-running franchises (think Taika Waititi’s work in Thor: Love and Thunder or Denis Villeneuve’s approach to Dune).
Context: franchise fatigue and course correction
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning was marketed as a culminating chapter, yet its ending left the door open for more films. Although not a box-office failure, Final Reckoning underwhelmed relative to the series' previous peaks, prompting speculation that Cruise and producers might hand the reins to fresh voices to reinvigorate the brand.
Trivia and behind-the-scenes: the latest film reunited Cruise with a familiar ensemble including Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Esai Morales among others. If Zhao signs on, she’d be one of the few Academy Award-winning directors attached to a Mission: Impossible entry.
A cautious note: DeuxMoi has broken entertainment scoops before, but it’s not a primary source. Industry trades would likely confirm any formal hiring soon.
Whether this rumor proves true or not, the idea of Chloe Zhao reinterpreting a major action franchise is a compelling thought experiment—one that speaks to Hollywood’s ongoing search for new creative combinations to keep blockbuster series feeling alive.
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