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.

FAQs

Q1. Is Mission Impossible 9 officially confirmed with Chloé Zhao as director?

No — as of now, there is no official confirmation. The report originates from an anonymous tip shared by gossip outlet Deux Moi, and neither Tom Cruise’s team nor Chloé Zhao has publicly addressed it.

Q2. Who directed the previous Mission Impossible films before MI9 rumours?

Christopher McQuarrie directed four consecutive Mission: Impossible films (MI4 through MI8), making him the longest-serving director in the franchise’s history before these new talks emerged.