Over the past few films, the ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise has spun out quite the robust rogue’s gallery of arms dealers and agents. While Tom Cruise‘s Ethan Hunt remains the franchise constant, everyone from Rebecca Ferguson to Sean Harris to Vanessa Kirby has made a case for more screen time in upcoming additions to the franchise. And while Cruise and Ferguson are seemingly the only returning cast members set in stone, that doesn’t mean that the franchise won’t keep adding new talent until it’s bursting at the metaphorical seams.
READ MORE: Christopher McQuarrie Shoots Down ‘Mission: Impossible’ Spin-Offs
Yesterday, on his Instagram account, ‘Mission: Impossible’ maestro Christopher McQuarrie announced that Hayley Atwell would be joining the franchise. This is excellent news for fans of the franchise and great news for Atwell; as a reminder, there’s no better place to prove your blockbuster bonafides than alongside Tom Cruise in an action movie.
Atwell is best known for her recurring role as Peggy Carter, Marvel’s World War II-era super-spy from “Captain America: The First Avenger” and the short-lived ABC series “Agent Carter.” Fans of the show—which lasted two seasons before its cancellation—have spent the past few years hoping for a film or television follow-up for Carter’s character; Atwell stepping into a vital role in the ‘Mission: Impossible’ universe should be a pretty acceptable consolidation prize for anyone who wants to see her continue to strut her spy stuff on the big screen. Between this and the announcement that Atwell will be reprising her role for the upcoming “What If?” series on Disney+, Atwell fans should be getting their money’s worth.
Also, just because it’s funny, remember when McQuarrie said he’d rather have leprosy than confront the sky-high expectations of a seventh ‘Mission: Impossible’ movie? Casting someone like Atwell isn’t exactly making us anticipate the film any less, Chris. Not to stress you out or anything.
Update: Atwell has confirmed she’s part of the next two “Mission Impossible” Films.
