Has Tom Cruise found his successor for "Mission: Impossible"? Inside rumors of who might be the next Ethan Hunt

After nearly three decades as Ethan Hunt, it seems Tom Cruise may be considering a successor to take on the legendary role. Rumor has it that Cruise himself has hand-picked Top Gun: Maverick star Glen Powell as the potential new face of Mission: Impossible.

Cruise, who famously mentored Powell during their Top Gun collaboration, reportedly believes Powell could carry the torch, blending charisma and action-star chops in just the right way.

Despite talk of Mission: Impossible - The Last Reckoning being his last outing, Cruise has repeatedly dismissed the idea of ending his run as Ethan Hunt.

The action star even has stated he wants to keep making Mission: Impossible films until he's 80-following in Harrison Ford's footsteps. "Harrison Ford is a legend; I hope to keep going. I've got 20 years to catch up with him," Cruise said recently.

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Powell is the best option to replace Cruise

Meanwhile, Powell, 35, is at the peak of his career. From Top Gun: Maverick to Twisters, and the highly anticipated The Running Man by Edgar Wright, Powell has proved he's ready for action-packed leading roles.

His packed schedule is expected to free up after December, fueling speculation that he could be poised to take on a major role in one of Hollywood's most iconic franchises.

But there's a catch. The Last Reckoning, set for release in May 2025, comes with a hefty $400 million budget. It's estimated the film will need to pull in close to $900 million globally just to break even.

We are at the dawn of a new M:I

If this installment performs, Paramount may push for the "final" chapter to be just the beginning of a new era-potentially with Powell as the new lead, under Cruise's guidance as producer.

Fans and insiders alike are keeping an eye on this possible shift. Is Powell ready to take on Hunt's high-stakes missions? For now, only time and the success of The Last Reckoning will tell if Cruise's pick for a successor will be the future face of Mission: Impossible.