Paul Thomas Anderson, who previously collaborated with Tom Cruise on the 1999 film Magnolia, revealed his disappointment at never being invited to direct an installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise. In an interview with Le Figaro, Anderson expressed that he would have welcomed the opportunity to join the espionage series.
I would have loved to, but I never received his phone call,
Anderson said.
I was very disappointed. I think he’s done with Mission: Impossible, so it’s not going to happen.
The Collaboration Between Anderson and Cruise on Magnolia
Anderson and Cruise’s only prior work together was on Magnolia, where Cruise portrayed Frank T.J. Mackey, a confident motivational speaker who coaches men on seduction. The film is notable for showing Mackey’s emotional side during a poignant scene with his dying father, Earl Partridge, played by Jason Robards. Magnolia remains one of Cruise’s most praised performances, earning him a Golden Globe win and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s Shift Toward Action with Upcoming Film
Known primarily for his dramatic and darkly comedic films, Anderson is branching into the action thriller genre with his upcoming project, One Battle After Another. This new epic follows an ex-revolutionary, portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio, on a mission to rescue his daughter from a dangerous adversary. The film also stars Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti.
Anderson wrote the screenplay himself, loosely adapting it from Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel Vineland. Critics have given One Battle After Another some of the best reviews of Anderson’s career so far, with many pundits expecting it to become a significant contender at the 2026 Academy Awards. The film is set for release in theaters on September 26, 2025.
Impact of the Missed Opportunity and What’s Next
Anderson’s admission highlights the rare occasion when Tom Cruise did not invite an esteemed filmmaker to direct a Mission: Impossible entry. This missed collaboration continues to intrigue fans, given the success of both Magnolia and the espionage series. As Anderson advances with his new action-driven film, audiences will witness his distinctive style applied to a different genre, while Cruise appears to have moved on from the Mission: Impossible franchise.
