Just when audiences thought Ethan Hunt had finally hung up his disguise kit for good, Hollywood drops a plot twist worthy of the franchise itself. Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao is reportedly in early talks to write and direct the ninth instalment of the Mission: Impossible franchise alongside Tom Cruise — and if true, this could be the most exciting shakeup the series has ever seen.
Mission Impossible 9 + Chloé Zhao
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Franchise | Mission: Impossible |
| Rumoured Film | Mission: Impossible 9 (MI9) |
| Rumoured Director | Chloé Zhao |
| Star | Tom Cruise (as Ethan Hunt) |
| Source | Anonymous tip via Deux Moi gossip outlet |
| Previous Director | Christopher McQuarrie (MI4–MI8) |
| Tom Cruise’s Last MI Film | Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (MI8) |
| Chloé Zhao’s Current Film | Hamnet — nominated for 8 Oscars incl. Best Picture & Best Director |
| Official Confirmation? | None from either party |
Wait — Didn’t Tom Cruise Say MI8 Was the End?
Yes, he did. Cruise had repeatedly described Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning as the conclusion of Ethan Hunt’s story — and bade an emotional farewell to the character at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. So when a fresh tip surfaced via Hollywood gossip outlet Deux Moi claiming that Chloé Zhao had been workshopping a treatment with Cruise and a script was already underway, it genuinely caught everyone off guard. The anonymous tip suggested Cruise himself reached out to Zhao — which, if accurate, speaks volumes about how much he believes in what this new direction could look like.
For more Hollywood franchise updates, check out our latest entertainment coverage at Technosports.
Why Chloé Zhao Is Such a Fascinating Choice
This isn’t just a random director swap. Chloé Zhao is fresh off Hamnet, an acclaimed historical drama starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal that has earned 8 Oscar nominations — including Best Picture and Best Director for Zhao herself. Before that, she made history with Nomadland, winning both the Academy Award and the BAFTA for Best Director. Bringing her lyrical, deeply human storytelling sensibility to a globe-trotting spy thriller would be genuinely unlike anything the franchise has done before. The franchise has always had great action — what it might gain with Zhao is real soul.
What Happens Next?
As of now, there is no official confirmation from either Tom Cruise’s team or Chloé Zhao. The tip remains unverified and both parties are currently focused elsewhere — Cruise on his Alejandro G. Iñárritu drama Digger, and Zhao on her awards campaign for Hamnet. Fans and film industry observers will be watching closely for any official word.
Stay tuned to Technosports for all the latest Mission Impossible 9 updates as they develop, and follow our Hollywood news section at Technosports for more.
