‘Mission: Unfeasible’: Original cast’s disdain for Tom Cruise Films
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BUCHAREST – May 22, 2024 – The *Mission: Impossible* film saga, starring Tom Cruise, has captivated audiences. Originally,the original *Mission: Impossible* television cast held reservations regarding the cinematic adaptations. They took issue with how the films reimagined the core elements of the series, shifting the focus from psychological thriller to pure action. Read on to learn more.
‘Mission: Unfeasible’: Why the Original TV Cast Didn’t Support the Tom Cruise Films
As of May 22, the
mission: Impossible
film saga, a cinematic juggernaut, concludes it’s run in Spanish theaters after eight installments with
Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning
[[1]]. This marks the farewell of Ethan Hunt, portrayed by Tom Cruise, who since 1996, has been known for his daring stunts and seemingly impossible feats.
A Respected Action Franchise
The
Mission: Impossible
franchise is arguably one of the most consistently respected action series in cinema. Millions of viewers eagerly anticipate each premiere, often revisiting the entire franchise and sharing their meticulously ranked lists, which, surprisingly, tend to find widespread agreement regardless of the specific order.
Did You Know?
The first film, released in 1996, was shot on 35mm film, with visual effects completed at 2K resolution. However, it has since been rescanned and mastered in 4K for Ultra HD Blu-ray releases
[[2]].
A Divided House: The Original Series’ Disapproval
Despite its widespread acclaim,
Mission: Impossible
has a notable group of detractors: the team behind the original television series of the same name.They felt the film adaptation took significant liberties with the source material. Hear’s why Martin Landau and company didn’t fully embrace the Tom Cruise-led franchise.
Tom Cruise in ‘Mission Impossible’ (1996).
“This is Not ‘Mission: Impossible'”
The original
Mission: Impossible
series aired on CBS from 1966 to 1973, totaling 171 episodes. It etched a melody into the minds of viewers worldwide: the iconic progression of notes by Lalo Schifrin, which was thankfully retained in the film adaptation, linking the two titles with a suspenseful musical cue.
In the series, Jim Phelps, played by Peter graves, was portrayed in the first film by Jon Voight. The film’s plot twist, where Voight’s character fakes his death and is revealed as a double agent, deeply disturbed the original cast.For them,Jim Phelps was a hero. Greg Morris, who played the series’ technology expert, reportedly walked out of the theater before the film ended. Peter graves himself,upon reading the script,declined to reprise his role,leading to the search for a new actor.
Pro Tip
For the best viewing experience of the more recent films, the
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
4K Blu-ray delivers excellent image quality with Native 4K and Dolby Vision HDR
[[3]].
Martin Landau in ‘Mission Impossible’
Martin Landau, one of the most outspoken actors from the original series, voiced his disapproval of the Tom Cruise adaptation in a 2009 interview with MTV.
In the first version of the movie
Impossible mission
they annihilated the entire team in one, and I was against. That turned
Impossible mission
in a simple adventure and action movie, when it had always been a psychological game,
Landau explained.
He further elaborated on his vision for the series:
The ideal mission was one in which the team entered and left without anyone knowing that they had been there. The tone had changed completely.Why would I voluntarily contribute to the suicide of our characters? So I gave the matter to the matter. The script was not even so good!
Martin Landau, MTV Interview, 2009
FAQ
-
Why did the original cast dislike the movie adaptation?
They felt the film shifted the focus from psychological intrigue to action, betraying the essence of the original series.
-
What was Martin landau’s main criticism?
Landau criticized the film for killing off the entire team and turning the series into a simple action movie.
-
Did Peter Graves reprise his role as Jim Phelps?
No, Peter Graves declined to reprise his role after reading the script.
