• Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol Characters
  • Mission: Impossible – Fallout characters

Julia Meade-Hunt

  • Edit source
  • View history

Dr. Julia Anne "Jules" Meade- (born c. 1977) is a major character in the Mission: Impossible film series , being a major protagonist in the 2006 film Mission: Impossible III , a cameo character in the 2011 film Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol and a supporting character in the 2018 film Mission: Impossible – Fallout . She is a nurse (later a doctor) and the former wife of IMF operative Ethan Hunt . She is now married to a man named Erik .

  • 1.1 Courtship with Ethan
  • 1.2 Kidnapping and Rescue
  • 1.3 Presumed Murder in Croatia
  • 1.4 Under Ethan's Protection
  • 1.5 Relationship with Erik and meeting Ethan again
  • 2.1 Allies and Enemies
  • 2.2 Personality
  • 2.3 Abilities
  • 4.1 Appearances

Biography [ ]

Courtship with ethan [ ].

Ethan meets and falls in love with Julia while on a "heli-boarding" trip at Lake Wanaka. To keep her from finding out about his work with Impossible Mission Force, he tells her, as well as her friends and family (the latter consisting of her siblings, Melissa and Rick , and their widowed mother), that he studies traffic patterns for the Virginia Department of Transportation. Ethan and Julia marry shortly before he set off on a two-day "business trip", actually a search for Owen Davian .

Kidnapping and Rescue [ ]

Davian eventually kidnapped Julia and threatened to kill her if Ethan didn't hand over the Rabbit's Foot. Ethan manages to find her in Shanghai, but not before Davian plants a micro-explosive into Ethan's head. Ethan helped Julia prepare for the arrival of Davian's men by handing her a Beretta 92F handgun, and instructing her how to reload and shoot with it. He also informed her that she needs to electrocute him to deactivate the explosive, which she reluctantly proceeded to do. Rogue agent John Musgrave found the couple before Ethan could regain consciousness, but Julia shot Musgrave to death, then revived Ethan with CPR.

When Julia asked Ethan how she ended up in China, he finally confessed his involvement with the IMF. He told her that the information is top-secret, she assured him that he could trust her, to which he stipulated. Ethan brought her to the IMF headquarters in Virginia, where she met the other agents including Luther Stickell , Zhen Lei and Declan Gormley , before taking her on their honeymoon.

Presumed Murder in Croatia [ ]

In Croatia, Ethan and Julia are both together until Ethan realizes that the only way to protect her from IMF's enemies is to fake her death. Agent William Brandt  is assigned to watch the family, following Ethan one day as he went for a jog. Brandt assigned two men to watch Julia before he left and after returning, he finds them both unconscious and Julia gone. Days later, Brandt is told that what is left of Julia's body had been found. In apparent retaliation for his wife's murder, Ethan kills six Serbian nationalists linked to the crime and is sent to Rankow Prison as a result.

Under Ethan's Protection [ ]

In reality, the IMF invented this cover to allow Ethan to infiltrate the prison, in the hope of gaining information in regards to a Swedish-born Russian terrorist named  Kurt Hendricks , code-named Cobalt. Julia, now safe, is kept a secret by Ethan, who has had to keep his distance from her since.

When Ethan and his team visit Seattle after defeating Cobalt, Ethan absolves Brandt of guilt for Julia's death by assuring him that she did not actually get killed in Croatia. This made Brandt the only other IMF agent aware of the complete details of Julia's survival (according to Benjamin Dunn , some of the agents had received word that Julia still lives, but the couple's marriage fell through). Shortly after Brandt left Ethan to sit alone, Julia carries Ethan's attention from across the bay. Ethan and Julia gaze at each other, until Julia went to meet some friends at a nearby restaurant. They get divorced, when Ethan decides not to sit around while the world is in danger. They reunite when Ethan and his team are on a mission. They are still friends and help Ethan's team out.

Relationship with Erik and meeting Ethan again [ ]

When they meet again, Julia reveals she is now married to Erik. Julia quickly realizes that Ethan is not there for a visit and that something is going on in the field hospital that has inoculated the nearby villages from smallpox.

She finds Luther and assists him in preparing the first nuclear bomb for disarmament. She then leaves to be with her husband after Luther tells her there's nothing more for her to do here.

After the bombs are disabled, she cares for Ethan at the field hospital. Ethan apologizes for everything that has happened, but she says there's nothing to be sorry about. She talks how she's found so much more in life with Ethan's involvement and that she can sleep safely knowing Ethan is watching over the world instead of always over her. Ilsa sees Julia share a tender moment with Ethan, then whispers something to Julia a moment later. After Julia leaves, Ilsa then shares her own tender moment with Ethan without Julia present.

Characteristics [ ]

Allies and enemies [ ].

Allies: Ethan Hunt (ex-husband), Luther Stickell, Zhen Lei, Declan Gormley, Theodore Brassel, Benji Dunn, Ilsa Faust

Enemies: Owen Davian, John Musgrave (victim), Kimbrough, Solomon Lane, August Walker

Personality [ ]

To be added.

Abilities [ ]

  • Skilled Physician : She is a medical doctor
  • Marksman : She is very good with a gun.

Gallery [ ]

Julia with Ethan in MI:III.

Behind the Scenes [ ]

Julia is portrayed by American actress Michelle Monaghan in Mission: Impossible III , Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol , and Mission: Impossible – Fallout but Monaghan was credited only in III and Fallout.

Appearances [ ]

Mission Impossible III logo 2

  • 1 Ilsa Faust
  • 2 Ethan Hunt
  • 3 Julia Meade-Hunt

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

UK Edition Change

  • UK Politics
  • News Videos
  • Paris 2024 Olympics
  • Rugby Union
  • Sport Videos
  • John Rentoul
  • Mary Dejevsky
  • Andrew Grice
  • Sean O’Grady
  • Photography
  • Theatre & Dance
  • Culture Videos
  • Food & Drink
  • Health & Families
  • Royal Family
  • Electric Vehicles
  • Car Insurance deals
  • Lifestyle Videos
  • UK Hotel Reviews
  • News & Advice
  • Simon Calder
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • South America
  • C. America & Caribbean
  • Middle East
  • Politics Explained
  • News Analysis
  • Today’s Edition
  • Home & Garden
  • Broadband deals
  • Fashion & Beauty
  • Travel & Outdoors
  • Sports & Fitness
  • Sustainable Living
  • Climate Videos
  • Solar Panels
  • Behind The Headlines
  • On The Ground
  • Decomplicated
  • You Ask The Questions
  • Binge Watch
  • Travel Smart
  • Watch on your TV
  • Crosswords & Puzzles
  • Most Commented
  • Newsletters
  • Ask Me Anything
  • Virtual Events
  • Betting Sites
  • Online Casinos
  • Wine Offers

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

Mission Impossible 6: Michelle Monaghan will return as Ethan Hunt's wife

She was first introduced in mission impossible: iii, before making a brief appearance in ghost protocol and sitting rogue nation out, article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

tom cruise mission impossible wife

Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey

Get our the life cinematic email for free, thanks for signing up to the the life cinematic email.

Linda Meade-Hunt, who wedded Tom Cruise 's Ethan Hunt in Mission Impossible: III and has probably been in a constant state of agitation since then, will be returning for Mission Impossible 6 .

Director-writer Christopher McQuarrie casually revealed her involvement in a series of portraits of the film's cast, including the first look at Henry Cavill's addition the franchise, complete with a rather dashing moustache.

Monaghan made a brief cameo in Ghost Protocol , before sitting out entirely of its sequel Rogue Nation ; she'll join the already returning cast of Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, and Alec Baldwin.

  • Tom Cruise has been training for new crazy M:I stunt for a year
  • Henry Cavill announces Mission: Impossible 6 role
  • Tom Cruise will embark on Mission: Impossible 6 after all

It seems to be fulfilling McQuarrie's promise, made on the Empire podcast , that the film would see the return of some familiar faces, "including people you would not expect to be back".

He also promised a "very different Ethan Hunt"; adding, "I’ve seen five of these movies and I don’t know who Ethan Hunt is. One movie sort of dealt with his personal life; the other movies are about people speculating what’s really going on in Ethan’s head. I want to know who Ethan is in this movie, I want an emotional journey for this character, and Tom really embraced it."

"His approach this time, then, was to say 'I don’t want to string together a bunch of action scenes, I want to actually deal with character'. So I put Ethan in a bunch of complicated moral quandaries, and I’m trying to find ways to connect them – and then, ironically, the way to connect them was through giant action scenes."

Mission Impossible 6 hits UK cinemas 27 July 2018.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

New to The Independent?

Or if you would prefer:

Want an ad-free experience?

Hi {{indy.fullName}}

  • My Independent Premium
  • Account details
  • Help centre

Mission: Impossible - Fallout Ties Up a Loose Thread For Ethan Hunt

Mission: Impossible - Fallout finally ties up a thread that's been left dangling since the release of Ghost Protocol in 2011.

WARNING: The following article contains major spoilers for Mission: Impossible — Fallout , in theaters now.

When you're a spy who saves the world with some degree of frequency, it's unlikely the married life is for you. The Mission: Impossible franchise did try, however, with Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt marrying Julia Meade (Michelle Monaghan) before ultimately deciding to sacrifice his happiness to ensure her safety.

RELATED: Mission: Impossible – Fallout’s High-Octane Ending, Explained

They faked Julia's death in 2011's Ghost Protocol and gave her new identity, with director Christopher McQuarrie not even including her in 2015's Rogue Nation . That made it all the more surprising when she was brought back for Fallout , leaving fans to wonder how her relationship with Ethan would be addressed. McQuarrie does tackle the issue, and gives the pair closure by finally separating them for good, affirming their separate destinies.

For much of Fallout , Julia's memory haunts Hunt, who regrets that he placed her in danger. He still misses her, and remains in love, and his teammate Luther (Ving Rhames) reveals that Julia sends him a signal from time to time to let them know she's alive and well. However, she never divulges her location.

As Ilsa (Rebecca Ferguson), the MI6 spy from Rogue Nation , returns to kill Solomon Lane (Sean Harris) and the Apostles, everything gets a bit complicated because Hunt doesn't want to endanger her as he's starting to care for her as well. The lid's blown wide open, though, when  CIA agent August Walker (Henry Cavill) betrays the team and warns Hunt not to pursue him. As he goes off to detonate two nuclear bombs, he throws the hero off by showing him a picture of Julia in her new life. The Apostles, formerly known as the Syndicate, have been keeping tabs on her to use as leverage.

RELATED:  Mission: Impossible – Fallout Opens the Door For Jeremy Renner’s Return

Hunt's team calls their bluff and chases them down anyway, landing at the bombs' location, a medical facility in Pakistan. As they begin to scour the place, Hunt bumps into Julia, now remarried to a physician named Patrick (Wes Bentley), and they're both performing humanitarian work there.

Lane funded the camp to lure Julia and her new husband there as insurance in case Hunt pursued him. It's an awkward reunion as they fake a friendship in front of Wes, who's in the dark, before Hunt runs off to the save the world.

Julia later helps Luther to defuse one bomb, and makes it clear she still loves her ex but that she knows she's holding him back. The world needs Ethan Hunt more than she does, as demonstrated when he stops Walker and obtains the detonator to save the day, yet again . Beaten and bruised, Hunt is picked up by the CIA, taken to Julia's facility for treatment and there, they say their final goodbyes.

Julia says she'll always love him, and he realizes he can finally let go because she's happy with Patrick. Hunt accepts they were meant to walk different paths, especially when Julia reveals that, without him, she wouldn't be doing charity work and saving people in her own way.

RELATED:  Which Mission: Impossible – Fallout Trailer Scenes Don’t Appear in the Film

However, she does recognize there's a spark between Ilsa and him, and secretly urges her to go to Hunt. Their chemistry is obvious to everyone in the team, and Hunt embraces her, optimistic that maybe he too can find a happy ending with the British spy now that he's finally closed the chapter with Julia.

In theaters nationwide, director Christopher McQuarrie’s Mission: Impossible — Fallout stars Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, joined by returning actors Rebecca Ferguson as Ilsa Faust, Ving Rhames as Luther Stickell and Simon Pegg as Benji Dunn, with Henry Cavill, Angela Bassett, Vanessa Kirby, Michelle Monaghan, Alec Baldwin, Sean Harris, Sian Brooke and Frederick Schmidt.

Our travel boxes are selling out! Grab your Shop TODAY Staycation box for 63% off before it's gone

  • TODAY Plaza
  • Share this —

Health & Wellness

  • Watch Full Episodes
  • Read With Jenna
  • Inspirational
  • Relationships
  • TODAY Table
  • Newsletters
  • Start TODAY
  • Shop TODAY Awards
  • Citi Concert Series
  • Listen All Day

Follow today

More Brands

  • On The Show

Michelle Monaghan recalls husband's reaction to her makeout session with Tom Cruise during their honeymoon

Michelle Monaghan says her husband, Peter White, was "proud" that she made out with Tom Cruise during their honeymoon.

During a joint interview with her "Family Plan" co-star Mark Wahlberg published by Collider , Monaghan, 47, opened up about shooting a love scene with Cruise for 2006's "Mission: Impossible III" shortly after tying the knot with White.

"I had just gotten married and kind of skipped my honeymoon to start the film right away," she explained. "Then I remember going to work, and Tom and I had kind of an intimate scene, and of course that was the first scene.

“Then I came home from work, I was so nervous, and my husband was like, 'Don’t worry, you’re gonna follow his lead. You’re gonna have a great time. It’s going to be wonderful,'" she continued.

Tom Cruise and Michelle Monaghan filming "Mission: Impossible III" in China in 2005.

After wrapping the steamy scene with Cruise, Monaghan returned to her hotel to give new groom White all the details.

"I come home at the end of the day, open up the hotel room, and he said, 'How was it?' I was like, 'Oh, my God, it was amazing. He was so nice. It was great.' He goes, 'How cool is it that you were making out with Tom Cruise on our honeymoon?' Because we’re just such fans," she added, laughing.

After hearing the story, Wahlberg jokingly asked Monaghan, "What the heck?"

"But it’s sweet, right?" Monaghan replied.

She added that the experience was a "testament" to her husband's loving personality, describing White as someone who is "totally supportive" of her and is "excited and jazzed" for her career opportunities.

Wahlberg then asked if White was jealous of Cruise.

"No," she replied, "he was just so proud."

"I worked hard to get that role," she added, "and it was just one of those things. We just got married and really discovered our careers in New York together, and so that was really special."

Monaghan and White tied the knot in 2005. The couple share two children: a daughter, Willow, born in 2008, and a son, Tommy, born in 2013.

Gina Vivinetto is a writer for TODAY.com.

  • Today's news
  • Reviews and deals
  • Climate change
  • 2024 election
  • Fall allergies
  • Health news
  • Mental health
  • Sexual health
  • Family health
  • So mini ways
  • Unapologetically
  • Buying guides

Entertainment

  • How to Watch
  • My watchlist
  • Stock market
  • Biden economy
  • Personal finance
  • Stocks: most active
  • Stocks: gainers
  • Stocks: losers
  • Trending tickers
  • World indices
  • US Treasury bonds
  • Top mutual funds
  • Highest open interest
  • Highest implied volatility
  • Currency converter
  • Basic materials
  • Communication services
  • Consumer cyclical
  • Consumer defensive
  • Financial services
  • Industrials
  • Real estate
  • Mutual funds
  • Credit cards
  • Balance transfer cards
  • Cash back cards
  • Rewards cards
  • Travel cards
  • Online checking
  • High-yield savings
  • Money market
  • Home equity loan
  • Personal loans
  • Student loans
  • Options pit
  • Fantasy football
  • Pro Pick 'Em
  • College Pick 'Em
  • Fantasy baseball
  • Fantasy hockey
  • Fantasy basketball
  • Download the app
  • Daily fantasy
  • Scores and schedules
  • GameChannel
  • World Baseball Classic
  • Premier League
  • CONCACAF League
  • Champions League
  • Motorsports
  • Horse racing
  • Newsletters

New on Yahoo

  • Privacy Dashboard

Michelle Monaghan to Reunite With Tom Cruise for ‘Mission: Impossible 6’

Michelle Monaghan has joined the cast of  Tom Cruise ’s “ Mission: Impossible 6 ,” the actress and writer and director Christopher McQuarrie both confirmed on social media. This marks her third appearance in the franchise.

Monaghan starred in 2006’s “Mission: Impossible III” as a doctor named Julia Meade, the fiance of Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt character. Following a gun battle in which she successfully dispatched two attackers, Hunt revealed to her that he works as a secret agent. The movie ended with the pair heading for a honeymoon. She also appeared at the end of 2011’s “Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol.”

McQuarrie began shooting the Paramount tentpole on April 8 in Paris. Producers are J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk, Tom Cruise, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger.

Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Alec Baldwin and Sean Harris are reprising their roles from previous films while Henry Cavill, Vanessa Kirby and Sian Brooke have come on board as new characters. Paramount has set a July 27, 2018 release date.

Monaghan stars in Hulu’s drama “The Path” with Aaron Paul and Hugh Dancy. She  was recently seen in “Patriots Day” and “Sleepless.” She recently wrapped production on “Saint Judy,” starring as immigration attorney Judy Wood.

Mission accepted. So thrilled to be reuniting w/ @TomCruise for #MI6 ! Can’t wait to show you guys more of Julia’s story #missionimpossible pic.twitter.com/YQjfIS8qob — Michelle Monaghan (@realmonaghan) June 13, 2017

Get more from Variety and Variety411 : Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Newsletter

Recommended Stories

Nfl draft: packers fan upset with team's 1st pick, and lions fans hilariously rubbed it in.

Not everyone was thrilled with their team's draft on Thursday night.

NFL Draft fashion: Caleb Williams, Malik Nabers dressed to impress, but Marvin Harrison Jr.'s medallion stole the show

Every player was dressed to impress at the 2024 NFL Draft.

Jamie Dimon is worried the US economy is headed back to the 1970s

JPMorgan's CEO is concerned the US economy could be in for a repeat of the stagflation that hampered the country during the 1970s.

Broncos, Jets, Lions and Texans have new uniforms. Let's rank them

Which new uniforms are winners this season?

Based on the odds, here's what the top 10 picks of the NFL Draft will be

What would a mock draft look like using just betting odds?

Luka makes Clippers look old, Suns are in big trouble & a funeral for Lakers | Good Word with Goodwill

Vincent Goodwill and Tom Haberstroh break down last night’s NBA Playoffs action and preview several games for tonight and tomorrow.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Widely available players ready to help your squad

Andy Behrens has a fresh batch of priority pickups for fantasy managers looking to close out the week in strong fashion.

These are the fastest-selling new cars of 2024

iSeeCars found that a handful of brands sell new cars much faster than others and noted that EVs are taking longer to sell than hybrids.

Dave McCarty, player on 2004 Red Sox championship team, dies 1 week after team's reunion

The Red Sox were already mourning the loss of Tim Wakefield from that 2004 team.

Everyone's still talking about the 'SNL' Beavis and Butt-Head sketch. Cast members and experts explain why it's an instant classic.

Ryan Gosling, who starred in the skit, couldn't keep a straight face — and neither could some of the "Saturday Night Live" cast.

Mission: Impossible (1996)

Full cast & crew.

tom cruise mission impossible wife

Directed by 

Writing credits ( wga )  , cast (in credits order) verified as complete  , produced by , music by , cinematography by , editing by , casting by , production design by , art direction by , set decoration by , costume design by , makeup department , production management , second unit director or assistant director , art department , sound department , special effects by , visual effects by , stunts , camera and electrical department , casting department , costume and wardrobe department , editorial department , location management , music department , script and continuity department , transportation department , additional crew , thanks .

Release Dates | Official Sites | Company Credits | Filming & Production | Technical Specs

Contribute to This Page

 width=

  • Full Cast and Crew
  • Release Dates
  • Official Sites
  • Company Credits
  • Filming & Production
  • Technical Specs
  • Plot Summary
  • Plot Keywords
  • Parents Guide

Did You Know?

  • Crazy Credits
  • Alternate Versions
  • Connections
  • Soundtracks

Photo & Video

  • Photo Gallery
  • Trailers and Videos
  • User Reviews
  • User Ratings
  • External Reviews
  • Metacritic Reviews

Related Items

  • External Sites

Related lists from IMDb users

list image

Recently Viewed

an image, when javascript is unavailable

The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News

Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter

site categories

The refreshing romance of ‘mission: impossible — fallout’.

Logo text [This story contains spoilers for Mission: Impossible — Fallout] Action heroes have a great deal of emotional baggage, and Ethan Hunt certainly has his share. Tom Cruise’s lead character in the Mission: Impossible franchise has plenty of fallen allies in his past, not to mention an endless amount of betrayals and a whole […]

By Nick Allen

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Flipboard
  • Share this article on Email
  • Show additional share options
  • Share this article on Linkedin
  • Share this article on Pinit
  • Share this article on Reddit
  • Share this article on Tumblr
  • Share this article on Whatsapp
  • Share this article on Print
  • Share this article on Comment

The Progressive Romance of 'Mission: Impossible — Fallout'

Mission: Impossible - Fallout .

[This story contains spoilers for Mission: Impossible — Fallout ]

Action heroes have a great deal of emotional baggage, and Ethan Hunt certainly has his share. Tom Cruise’s lead character in the Mission: Impossible franchise has plenty of fallen allies in his past, not to mention an endless amount of betrayals and a whole lot of world-saving stress by the time  Mission: Impossible — Fallout begins.

One thing that he doesn’t have on his conscience, however, is a slain loved one. Yes, he has one particular ghost in his life: his wife, Julia Meade (Michelle Monaghan), as introduced in 2006’s Mission: Impossible III . But she’s not dead; she’s just in a hiding. It’s his biggest weakness, one that the villains of Fallout try to exploit in the film’s third act, but that relationship is also one of the most progressive and refreshing elements about the Mission: Impossible franchise. 

The act of a love interest being killed to embolden a male hero, sometimes to inspire vengeance or just make him appear even more tragic, is called “fridging,” coined by noted comic-book writer Gail Simone (based on a Green Lantern comic in which the superhero finds his girlfriend’s dead body in the refrigerator). It’s such a common trope for male film heroes that it’s become almost routine. Look no further than Batman (Rachel Dawes in The Dark Knight ), James Bond (his short-lived romances with Tracy Bond or Vesper Lynd, take your pick) and Liam Neeson’s Bryan Mills (his ex-wife Lenore, who is killed early in Taken 3 ).

Deadpool 2 has two examples of this trope. Not only does its lead character, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), have his plot revolve around the death of his girlfriend Vanessa (Morena Baccarin), but Cable (Josh Brolin) also loses his wife (and their child). 

Why is it so common? Perhaps it’s just become ingrained in the hero-scripting formula.

“I know it wasn’t consciously sexist,” Deadpool 2  co-writer Paul Wernick told Vulture   in May when asked about film’s female deaths. “It may appear that way as the film progresses and Cable loses his family as well, but again, the desire was to give a motivation to both Cable and to Deadpool and have it be a parallel motivation that they both lost their family, and they’re both trying to kind of find their way in the world without them.”

The Mission: Impossible movies have successfully bucked the fridging trend, recognizing that, aside from there being no inherent need to kill off women to slap more grit onto its heroes’ lives, there are plenty of dramatic possibilities in a hero experiencing a different kind of loss and heartache than death.

tom cruise mission impossible wife

Ethan parted ways with Julia at the end of  Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol , when he faked her death, but she has remained a placeholder love interest for him. Since Ethan was already involved with someone else, Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) was introduced in 2015’s Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation as an equal to Hunt when it comes to the spy game. She was allowed to be a character in her own right, rather than being defined as a love interest. This makes for a refreshing, truly platonic dynamic, like a workplace comedy in which the two leads don’t get together in the end.

Removing romantic expectations allows the franchise to feel streamlined and focus on what it does best: showing Cruise performing one death-defying stunt after the next, and orchestrating plenty of double-crosses. In the third act of Fallout , Ethan and his crew learn that Julia has been located in Kashmir, where she is working in humanitarian aid and married to Patrick (Wes Bentley). Instead of the script acting as if she was waiting for Ethan to return, she assures him that she’s where she should be, and so is he. 

Sure, it’s possible Ethan and Ilsa’s relationship could become more than platonic in future installments. But director Christopher McQuarrie  cut a kiss from the film, and there’s no doubt that was the right decision.

Related Stories

'mission: impossible' director on the dark plotline cut from 'fallout', thr newsletters.

Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Aaron sorkin writing a potential ‘social network’ sequel: “i blame facebook for jan. 6”, cécile gaget leaves wild bunch, joins omar sy’s carrousel studios as ceo, janet jackson and drew barrymore reveal iconic movie roles they turned down, zendaya on why she has been “nervous” about ‘challengers’, hugh grant made an audition tape for tony the tiger role in ‘unfrosted’ that left jerry seinfeld “stunned”, ‘gabby’s dollhouse: the movie’ to get the big-screen treatment in 2025.

Quantcast

  • Updated Terms of Use
  • New Privacy Policy
  • Your Privacy Choices
  • Closed Caption Policy
  • Accessibility Statement

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions . Legal Statement . Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper .

Tom Cruise's 'Mission: Impossible' co-star says they made out while she was on her 'honeymoon'

Michelle monaghan filmed intimate scenes with cruise right after marrying her husband.

Critics Choice Awards: 'Top Gun: Maverick' producer shares Tom Cruise's billion dollar secret

Critics Choice Awards: 'Top Gun: Maverick' producer shares Tom Cruise's billion dollar secret

'Top Gun: Maverick' producer tells Fox News Digital "nobody works harder" than Tom Cruise, and reveals whether another sequel is coming.

Actress Michelle Monaghan has been happily married to her husband Peter White since 2005, but at the beginning of their happily ever after, another man was involved. 

In a joint interview with Mark Wahlberg, her costar in " The Family Plan ," Monaghan was asked to pinpoint when in her career she had been most nervous before the first day of filming. 

Monaghan insisted it was her project with Tom Cruise , "Mission: Impossible III," that conjured the most nerves.

TOM CRUISE'S 'MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE' CO-STARS REVEAL WHAT ACTOR IS REALLY LIKE BEHIND THE SCENES

Tom Cruise in a black shirt smiles and looks to his left slightly split Michelle Monaghan soft smiles on the carpet

Michelle Monaghan co-starred alongside Tom Cruise in the 2006 film "Mission: Impossible III." (Getty Images)

"I had just gotten married and kind of skipped my honeymoon to start the film right away. Then I remember going to work, and Tom and I had kind of an intimate scene, and of course that was the first scene. Then I came home from work, I was so nervous, and my husband was like, 'Don't worry, you're gonna follow his lead. You're gonna have a great time. It's going to be wonderful,'" she detailed to Collider.

"I come home at the end of the day, open up the hotel room, and he said, ‘How was it?’ I was like, ‘Oh, my God, it was amazing. He was so nice. It was great.’ He goes, ‘How cool is it that you were making out with Tom Cruise on our honeymoon?’ Because we're just such fans."

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Tom Cruise and Michelle Monaghan look into each others eyes and hold each other in a scene from "Mission: Impossible III"

Michelle Monaghan says her first scene on "Mission: Impossible III" after getting married to husband Peter White was an intimate one with Tom Cruise. (PictureLux/The Hollywood Archive/Alamy Stock Photo)

Wahlberg, obviously shocked by the revelation, said, "What the heck?"

"But it's sweet, right?" Monaghan retorted. "That is a testament to the man that I married, who has just been totally supportive and is excited and jazzed for the opportunities," she said of White, with whom she shares two children.

Mark Wahlberg in a dark suit and tie stands next to Michelle Monaghan in a lilac dress

Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Monaghan play husband and wife in "The Family Plan." (Paul Citone/Variety via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

Monaghan also clarified that White was not jealous, but rather "so proud."

"I worked hard to get that role, and it was just one of those things. We just got married and really discovered our careers in New York together, and so that was really special. But I was very nervous, of course, the night before, and then proceeded to have just an amazing shoot with [director] J.J. [Abrams] and Tom, and I have all the respect for them and that franchise," she said.

Michelle Monaghan in a white blouse with a yellow belt and blue skirt held by her husband in a leather jacket

Michelle Monaghan and Peter White got married right before she began filming "Mission: Impossible III." (Michael Kovac/Getty Images for A24)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"I can't believe I shared that story, but it's the truth."

Representatives for both Monaghan and Cruise did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Caroline Thayer is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital. Follow Caroline Thayer on Twitter at @carolinejthayer. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].

Billy Baldwin's wife Chynna Phillips says she walks on 'eggshells,' doesn't want to 'trigger' him

Billy Baldwin's wife Chynna Phillips says she walks on 'eggshells,' doesn't want to 'trigger' him

Kathie Lee Gifford chose to 'immediately forgive' after Frank Gifford's affair scandal

Kathie Lee Gifford chose to 'immediately forgive' after Frank Gifford's affair scandal

Harvey Weinstein rape conviction overturned: #MeToo Movement will need to 'adjust' strategies, expert says

Harvey Weinstein rape conviction overturned: #MeToo Movement will need to 'adjust' strategies, expert says

How Queen Camilla went from vilified mistress to beloved daughter-in-law

How Queen Camilla went from vilified mistress to beloved daughter-in-law

Zac Brown Band's founding member admits he's 'scared to death' of new technology

Zac Brown Band's founding member admits he's 'scared to death' of new technology

Mike Pinder, Moody Blues co-founder and keyboardist, dead at 82

Mike Pinder, Moody Blues co-founder and keyboardist, dead at 82

Best of Fox 411

Who's making headlines in television, music, movies and more from Hollywood to the Heartland.

You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!

trending now

Emma Stone 'would like to be' called by her real name from now on: 'That would be so nice'

Emma Stone 'would like to be' called by her real name from now...

King Charles' funeral plans reportedly being updated amid cancer battle: 'It's not good'

King Charles' funeral plans reportedly being updated amid cancer...

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce sit on same side of the booth during cozy Los Angeles dinner date

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce sit on same side of the booth...

Matthew McConaughey, wife Camila Alves make rare red carpet appearance with their 3 children

Matthew McConaughey, wife Camila Alves make rare red carpet...

Jon Bon Jovi says 'every day is a challenge' with Dorothea Hurley after admitting he hasn't 'been a saint' in marriage

Jon Bon Jovi says 'every day is a challenge' with Dorothea Hurley...

Brittany Mahomes dazzles in draped crystal crop top with husband Patrick at Time 100 Gala

Brittany Mahomes dazzles in draped crystal crop top with husband...

Kylie Jenner shows flat stomach as rumors she's pregnant with Timothée Chalamet's baby are debunked

Kylie Jenner shows flat stomach as rumors she's pregnant with...

Jon Bon Jovi admits he hasn't 'been a saint' in 34-year marriage to high school sweetheart Dorothea Hurley

Jon Bon Jovi admits he hasn't 'been a saint' in 34-year marriage...

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to copy URL

Tom Cruise reportedly dating ‘Mission: Impossible 7’ co-star Hayley Atwell

  • View Author Archive
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Get author RSS feed

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Tom Cruise has reportedly found love in a pandemic with Hayley Atwell.

A production source told the Sun that Cruise, 58, and Atwell, 38, started dating after meeting on the set of “Mission: Impossible 7,” saying the pair “hit it off from day one.”

“Lockdown, and all the difficulties that came with it, brought them even closer and they’ve become fairly inseparable,” the source added.

Hayley Atwell at a BAFTA event in January 2020

It’s unknown if the “Captain America” actress is a Scientologist like Cruise. Atwell previously dated model Evan Jones, but they parted ways in 2015 after two years together.

Reps for Cruise and Atwell didn’t immediately return Page Six’s request for comment.

Cruise has three children, 27-year-old Isabella and 25-year-old Connor from his marriage to Nicole Kidman, and 14-year-old Suri, whom he shares with ex-wife Katie Holmes.

The relationship revelation comes as Cruise departed the set of his upcoming action flick for the holidays early after audio of him lambasting crew members for not following COVID-19 protocols went viral.

“If I see you do it again, you’re f—ing gone,” Cruise yelled. “And if anyone in this crew does it, that’s it — and you too and you too. And you, don’t you ever f—ing do it again.”

Share this article:

Digital Cover mother-and-baby

Tom Cruise pictured partying during daughter Suri Cruise's 18th birthday weekend

The mission impossible star shares suri with ex-wife katie holmes.

Hanna Fillingham

Tom Cruise is a father-of-three and on April 18th, his youngest daughter  Suri Cruise turned 18. 

The Mission Impossible star shares Suri with his ex-wife, Katie Holmes , and the birthday girl was pictured looking happy as she walked around New York City with a friend, while clutching onto a birthday present. 

Suri is thought to have celebrated more over the weekend with her mom, while Tom was pictured in London at another milestone birthday party. 

Tom was one of the many celebrity guests at Victoria Beckham's 50th birthday , which was held at Oswald's. 

Other well-known faces in attendance included Eva Longoria, Salma Hayek and Marc Anthony. The Spice Girls also reunited, with Emma Bunton, Geri Horner, Mel B and Mel C posing with the birthday girl. 

Tom Cruise at Victoria Beckham's 50th birthday party

Tom was all smiles in a number of photos posted on the night, looking smart in a tuxedo. As well as Suri, Tom is also father to adopted grown-up children, Isabella 'Bella', 31, and Connor, 29, who he shares with ex-wife Nicole Kidman.

You may also like

Bella lives in London and has a close relationship with her dad, having been spotted out showing her support for him on numerous occasions by wearing various Top Gun T-shirts, a nod to her dad's film. 

Tom Cruise leaving Victoria Beckham's party in London

None of Tom's children have spoken out about their relationship with their dad in recent years and the actor is incredibly private when it comes to his personal life. 

When Suri was younger, however, she was in the public eye a lot more. She was born in Los Angeles where she was raised for the first few years of her life, before her parents' separation in 2012. She then relocated with her mom Katie to New York City. 

BrosNYC / BACKGRID

Katie has raised Suri to be incredibly down-to-earth and the pair have a close relationship. It's clear that Suri has developed her parents' talents for performing, and showcased her incredible singing voice back in 2022. 

Suri was heard singing the opening credits of Katie's film, Alone Together, when she was just 15. She sang a pitch-perfect rendition of Blue Moon, and her mom was more than proud. 

Suri Cruise and Katie Holmes

Chatting to Yahoo! Entertainment about her daughter's role in the movie, she said: "She's very, very talented. She said she would do it and she recorded it and I let her do her thing. "That's the way I direct in general: It's like, 'This is what I think we all want - go do your thing'." 

The mom-of-one was asked why she chose Suri for the job and she said: "I always want the highest level of talent, so I asked her." 

In 2022, Katie gave another rare snippet into her relationship with Suri, telling InStyle: "I love her so much. My biggest goal has always been to nurture her into her individuality. To make sure she is 100 per cent herself and strong, confident, and able. And to know it."

Read more HELLO! US stories here

Get the lowdown on the biggest, hottest celebrity news, features and profiles coming out of the U.S.  Sign up to our HELLO! Hollywood newsletter and get them delivered straight to your inbox.

  • Celebrity Children
  • Suri Cruise
  • Katie Holmes
  • Celebrity Dads

More Parenting

How Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise's relationship with Tom Cruise will change once she turns 18

How Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise's relationship with Tom Cruise will change once she turns 18

Suri Cruise showcases special bond with mom Katie Holmes after dad Tom Cruise missed her 18th birthday celebrations

Suri Cruise showcases special bond with mom Katie Holmes after dad Tom Cruise missed her 18th birthday celebrations

Katie Holmes' 'silent birth' with daughter Suri she shares with Tom Cruise

Katie Holmes' 'silent birth' with daughter Suri she shares with Tom Cruise

Katie Holmes' impressive rule for daughter Suri, 18

Katie Holmes' impressive rule for daughter Suri, 18

Suri Cruise makes a bold fashion statement in NYC as she celebrates 18th birthday in new photos

Suri Cruise makes a bold fashion statement in NYC as she celebrates 18th birthday in new photos

Katie Holmes on why only daughter Suri Cruise would wear heels at the age of five

Katie Holmes on why only daughter Suri Cruise would wear heels at the age of five

How Suri Cruise's lifestyle with mom Katie Holmes has drastically changed ahead of adulthood

How Suri Cruise's lifestyle with mom Katie Holmes has drastically changed ahead of adulthood

Katie Holmes' clever parenting trick that's protected teenage daughter Suri during her childhood

Katie Holmes' clever parenting trick that's protected teenage daughter Suri during her childhood

Katie holmes' lookalike daughter suri turns 17 as she follows in her dad tom cruise and mom's footsteps, suri cruise looks exactly like mum katie holmes in new instagram snap, tom cruise's time apart from son connor sparked emotional response on set, former director reveals, katie holmes' lookalike daughter suri, 17, almost towers over her mother in rare nyc outing.

The Very Mission: Impossible Reason Tom Cruise Was Able To Attend Victoria Beckham’s Big 50th Birthday

Tom Cruise reportedly tore up the dance floor and Victoria Beckham's birthday party.

Tom Cruise stands in a crowd wearing sunglasses in Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One.

At this point, the impossible mission seems to be completing filming on two Mission: Impossible movies. Tom Cruise has technically been working on the two films for more than four years, and it seems there’s no end in sight. On the plus side, however, the fact that Cruise has been living in the UK while filming means that he was able to attend Victoria Beckham’s birthday party over the weekend, where he reportedly brought the house down.

Daily Mail reports that Cruise, a friend of David and Victoria Beckham, was in attendance at the former Spice Girl’s 50th birthday party, where he apparently left guests “dumbfounded” following a breakdancing routine that ended in the splits. Unfortunately, cameras were not allowed at the party, so there are no pictures of this epic dance routine. But the guests were likely only able to witness it because Cruise is still in the U.K. because the epic Mission: Impossible production isn’t yet over. At this point, we don't really know when it will all end.

We knew Tom Cruise could dance . From Risky Business to Tropic Thunder some of the actor’s most famous moments on screen that didn’t involve him putting his life on the line in crazy stunts have involved dancing, but at 61 not only is Cruise not slowing down when it comes to the best Mission: Impossible action scenes , but he’s still got the dance moves as well.

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) hanging off a train in Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part Two Cast List

Tom Cruise Plane Stunt For Mission: Impossible 8

It was four years ago when Mission: Impossible 7 was set to get underway filming in Italy when that nation became one of the first outside of China to have a significant coronavirus outbreak. Venice went into lockdown and the production was put on hold. M:I 7 would then become one of the first movies to go back into production. But it was slow going, as the films would need to pause more than once due to their own virus issues, and the movie’s globetrotting caused several delays for required quarantines going into and out of various nations. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One alone took over three years to wrap production.

The Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part Two release date is currently set for May 25, 2025, more than a year from now. Unless the film sees yet another release date delay, then filming is likely close to being finished. Unless they need to do some final pickup shots in Tom Cruise’s garage again, of course. When the next Mission: Impossible movie does hit theaters it won’t just be the epic conclusion to a two-part adventure for Ethan Hunt, but the end of a years-long adventure for the entire cast and crew.

CINEMABLEND NEWSLETTER

Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News

Dirk Libbey

CinemaBlend’s resident theme park junkie and amateur Disney historian, Dirk began writing for CinemaBlend as a freelancer in 2015 before joining the site full-time in 2018. He has previously held positions as a Staff Writer and Games Editor, but has more recently transformed his true passion into his job as the head of the site's Theme Park section. He has previously done freelance work for various gaming and technology sites. Prior to starting his second career as a writer he worked for 12 years in sales for various companies within the consumer electronics industry. He has a degree in political science from the University of California, Davis.  Is an armchair Imagineer, Epcot Stan, Future Club 33 Member.

Emma Stone Would Love People To Call Her By Her Real Name, Thank You Very Much

32 Great Improvised Movie Moments

Bust Out The Eggnog, Because A Sequel To One Of Hallmark's Best Christmas Movies Is Coming

Most Popular

  • 2 Disneyland Resort’s Pixar Fest Is Bigger Than Ever, Here’s Why It’s Also Better Than Ever
  • 3 Emma Stone Would Love People To Call Her By Her Real Name, Thank You Very Much
  • 4 Survivor 46 Is Exposing A Problem With Almost Exclusively Casting Superfans
  • 5 32 Great Improvised Movie Moments

tom cruise mission impossible wife

tom cruise mission impossible wife

Does Ethan Hunt Have a Wife? Maybe It’s ‘Mission: Impossible’

tom cruise mission impossible wife

How many wives and/or significant others has Mission: Impossible’ s Ethan Hunt had over the film franchise’s history? As Ethan’s latest story – Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1 — that just hit theaters July 12, we look back at the action hero’s love life. Clearly, Ethan knows having a loved one brings great risk to the individual and, ultimately, becomes his greatest liability (his kryptonite). Let’s take a quick look back at the love life of Ethan Hunt over the past 25-plus years.

1. Mission: Impossible (1996)

Infatuation: claire (emmanuelle beart).

After Ethan Hunt ( Tom Cruise ) was disavowed and being blamed for killing his leader Jim Phelps ( Jon Voight ) and other team members, he teams up with Jim’s wife and sexy colleague Claire ( Emmanuelle Beart ). Claire worked her charm and was able to seduce Ethan. In the end, Ethan was reminded “thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife,” and Jim ultimately took care of Claire on his own. This was a dead end.

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, Tom Cruise, Emmanuelle Beart, 1996.

Paramount Pictures/ Courtesy: Everett Collection.

2. Mission: Impossible II (2000)

Infatuation: nyah nodoff-hall (thandie newton).

Mission Impossible II, Thandie Newton

© Paramount Pictures/ Courtesy: Everett Collection.

In the second film, Ethan finds himself playfully falling for professional thief Nyah Nodoff-Hall ( Thandie Newton ) while the two are carrying out a mission to take down Nyah’s former boyfriend Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott). After Ethan convinces Nyah to get information from Ambrose, she finds herself in a near-death experience that Ethan ultimately saves her from. The film ends with the two vacationing on a beach. Nyah’s story was never resolved, as Newton turned down returning for the third film, wanting to spend more time with her family.

3. Mission: Impossible III (2006)

Love interest: julia meade (michelle monaghan).

Tom Cruise and Michelle Monaghan, Mission Impossible III

Paramount/courtesy Everett Collection

In one of the most hair-rising and emotional beginnings of an M:I film, we quickly learn where Ethan’s heart is when we see a slowly awakening Ethan, bound to a chair, with his nemesis Owen Davian ( Philip Seymour Hoffman ) questioning him over where the rabbit’s foot is.  He’s given 10 seconds to tell the truth and then cameras pivot to his wife Julia “Jules” Mead ( Michelle Monaghan ), bound and confused with a gun pointed at her head. A tear streams down Ethan’s face as he pleads to save her. The film then jumps back in time where we get their full courtship story, where Ethan a semi-retired training officer for the IMF and is enjoying living a quiet life. Julia believes Ethan works for the Virginia Department of Transportation analyzing traffic patterns. When Ethan is called back into service to help a recruit (Keri Russell), he’s determined to bring down Owen Davian. He asks Jules for her trust and marries her in a shot-gun ceremony. That trust is somewhat short lived when Julia is kidnapped by Owen and taken to China, bu there’s no chance Ethan is going to let anyone harm her. The film ends with Julia and Ethan walking off hand-in-hand.

4. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)

Deceased wife julia meade (michelle monaghan).

Michelle Monaghan, Mission Impossible III

Everett Collection

While in Croatia, Ethan fakes the death of Julia and proceeds to kill six Serbian nationalists who were linked to the crime. Ethan is sent to Rankow Prison (agreeing to be imprisoned in exchange for secrecy surrounding his wife’s fake death), where his mission now is to infiltrate the prison and gain information on the terrorist code-named Cobalt. Although Julia is now safe, Ethan needs to keep his distance causing a permanent end to their relationship. We see Julia at the end of the film, thriving with her colleagues in the medical world, as Ethan watches from afar. Their eyes lock and loving smiles are exchanged. He’s single again.

5. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)

Flirting: ilsa faust (rebecca ferguson).

Rebecca Ferguson, Tom Cruise, 2015.

David James/©Paramount Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection

A potential new love interest for Ethan begins in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation when Ilsa Faust ( Rebecca Ferguson ), a disavowed agent, is sent in to question Ethan while he is being held captive by terrorists in London. Not knowing who she is, Ethan is enchanted over why she helped him escape captivity and, ultimately, the two work together. “You know how to find me,” the movie ends.

6. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

Definitely interested: ilsa faust (rebecca ferguson), former wife:  julia meade (michelle monaghan).

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT, Rebecca Ferguson, 2018.

© Paramount /Courtesy Everett Collection

Mission: Impossible – Fallout begins with Julia and Ethan on a tropical island getting married (again), with Ethan begging Julia to say no this time. It’s a nightmare, of course, and we find Ethan really in Belfast. It’s a few years later from Ethan and Faust’s ( Rebecca Ferguson ) last meet up and they connect on a mission in Paris. Faust saves his life again. Feeling as though Faust is somebody that he can be himself around and not have to hide his life they begin a caring relationship that has lasted up until this point in the film series. 

This film also reconnects Ethan with Julia, who is alive and well, happily working on humanitarian efforts — “exactly where she should be” — in a remote part of the world. It was a perfect closing to their relationship.

7. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

In theaters now, Ethan and Ilsa’s future is yours to uncover. No spoilers here!

Sixties Super Spies

Sixties Super Spies

September 2022.

Mission Impossible? Hardly! Check out all the great super spies of the sixties & more!

Quick Links

  • Terms of Service
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Do Not Sell
  • Cookie Prefs

Weekly Roundup of Top Posts

Our Publications

TV Guide Magazine Logo

Current Issue

Remind Magazine Cover

  • Back Issues

Tom Cruise geeked out at ‘Mission: Impossible’ premiere over ‘goddess’ Janet Jackson

A split image: Tom Cruise wears a blue blazer and pants with a white  shirt; Janet Jackson wears an all-black jumpsuit

  • Show more sharing options
  • Copy Link URL Copied!

In a surprising turn of events, Tom Cruise did something relatable — he professed his love for Janet Jackson.

The skydiving, couch-jumping star talked with “ Entertainment Tonight” about his admiration for the “Rhythm Nation” musician while at the world premiere of “ Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One ” in Rome on Sunday. Cruise mentioned that he used his day off last month to go to Jackson’s Together Again tour in Charlotte, N.C.

“That was my night off, that was my last break,” he said. “ I just wanna tell you, go see Janet.”

Janet Jackson smiles in a black turtleneck.

Janet Jackson begins tour with this epic set list — and Sheinelle Jones as dancer

Janet Jackson kicked off her Together Again tour this weekend with an epic, 40-song set list and an appearance from ‘Today’ anchor Sheinelle Jones.

April 17, 2023

The “Scream” artist kicked off her highly anticipated tour in June at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Fla., with an epic, 40-plus song set list and a guest appearance from “Today” co-host Sheinelle Jones .

The “ Top Gun ” actor insisted that he’s just like any other fan when he goes to Jackson’s concerts, saying, “I’m right in there, yeah, come on! It’s Janet, she’s a legend.”

But unlike the average fan, Cruise has a personal relationship with the “Control” singer. After attending her performance in May, the onscreen thrill seeker took a photo with Jackson that was shared on her Instagram .

“T, it was so good seeing you and nice spending some time together 😊,” Jackson captioned the duo’s backstage picture.

When asked whether “T” was a common nickname that others call him, Cruise clarified that Jackson has special privileges.

Tom Cruise plays Capt. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in Top Gun

Entertainment & Arts

Column: ‘Top Gun’ casts Tom Cruise as the hero in the film and at the box office

He’s triumphed over spies, terrorists, aliens and Jack Nicholson; now Tom Cruise is swooping in to save the movie industry.

May 27, 2022

“She can call me whatever she wants. She’s Janet Jackson,” the “ Jerry Maguire ” star said. “She’s a goddess. She’s amazing. I love her, I love her music. She’s also just an extraordinary person.”

Elsewhere in his ET interview, Cruise reflected on his career and the “unbelievable” experiences he’s had along the way.

“I do pinch myself every day, I don’t take anything for granted,” he said. “I remember being 18 years old making ‘Taps’ and I remember being 4 years old and thinking I want to make movies and I want to travel the world. I am constantly like, ‘This is so out of body. What is happening?’ This is wild and it’s something that I’ve never taken for granted ... I just feel very privileged.”

Tom Cruise plays Capt. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in Top Gun: Maverick from Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.

How ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ made those groundbreaking aerial scenes soar

Real fighter jets, real G-forces, unprecedented aerial scenes: How cinematographer Claudio Miranda made ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ soar.

June 5, 2022

The 60-year-old actor also addressed the news that Scarlett Johansson recently told the Hollywood Reporter that Cruise was the actor she most wants to work with.

“I’d love to make a movie with her!” he said. “I’ve been wanting to make a movie with her. She is enormously talented. So charismatic, versatile. She has great physical ability, obviously.”

More to Read

Madonna on a stage holding a microphone behind two men in red shorts and boxing gear dancing

Madonna accused of ableism after ‘politically incorrect’ flub about fan in wheelchair

March 11, 2024

A woman with long blond hair wearing a dark dress and multiple necklaces posing against a dark background

Who’s Rebecca Ferguson’s ‘idiot’ co-star? Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt clear their names

Feb. 29, 2024

Ed Westwick and Amy Jackson dressed in dark formalwear pose together for a photo at a film festival

Spotted: ‘Gossip Girl’ alum Ed Westwick proposes to Amy Jackson in Switzerland

Jan. 29, 2024

The biggest entertainment stories

Get our big stories about Hollywood, film, television, music, arts, culture and more right in your inbox as soon as they publish.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Carlos De Loera is a former reporter for the Los Angeles Times. He previously worked at The Times as a member of the 2022-23 Los Angeles Times Fellowship class, as an editorial assistant and intern with Arts and Entertainment and at the Houston Chronicle as a features intern. De Loera is a L.A. County native and a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where he majored in history and minored in journalism, ethics and democracy.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Poppy Harlow will be a co-anchor on a new CNN morning program.

Company Town

CNN journalist and host Poppy Harlow exits after 16-year run

The singer Ricky Martin will headline the LA Pride in the Park Festival in 2024.

Ricky Martin to headline LA Pride in the Park festival

LOS ANGELES-CA-APRIL 18, 2024: Katie Cazorla is photographed at the Kookaburra Lounge in Hollywood on April 18, 2024. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Art Deco and dignity inspire multi-hyphenate comedian Katie Cazorla’s new club, the Kookaburra Lounge

April 26, 2024

A man and two women standing against a wall

A new play about Jesus comes to the O.C. It could provoke ‘intense’ reactions

Dailymotion

Dailymotion

Tom Cruise Comments On The 'Weirdest' On Set 'Mission: Impossible' Rumor: Are People Allowed To...

Posted: April 25, 2024 | Last updated: April 25, 2024

There are major movie stars, and then there’s Tom Cruise. The 61 year-old A-lister is showing no signs of slowing down. Cruise recently commented on the “weirdest” rumor about his behavior on the set of "MI." Namely, are people allowed to look him in the eye during filming? Once you’re an A-list celebrity, you can demand or request a variety of things in order to properly get your work done. There are rumors that celebrities like Ellen Degeneres don’t want actors or crew members looking them in the eye on set, presumably to help maintain focus. Tom Cruise has seemingly heard those rumors about him, and actually name dropped them in an interview with The Times about his public image. After claiming they were the “weirdest” rumor he’d heard about himself, his "Mission: Impossible" co-star Simon Pegg came to his defense.

More for You

A California woman bought a vacant lot in Hawaii and discovered a $500,000 house was built on it without her permission

A California woman bought a vacant lot in Hawaii and discovered a $500,000 house was built on it without her permission

Trump-campaign-stop

Trump campaign accused of breaking federal law by hiding millions in legal payments

Here’s What the US Minimum Wage Was the Year You Were Born

Here’s What the US Minimum Wage Was the Year You Were Born

Do I have to pay my spouse's debts when they die?

Do I have to pay off my spouse's debts when they die? Here's what you're responsible for and what you aren't after a loved one's death

Least obedient dog breeds

The worst-behaved dog breeds in the world, according to data

side by side of culver's and five guys burgers

Culver's Vs Five Guys: Which Burger Chain Is Better?

People with blood type A are more likely to suffer from a stroke before 60 (photo: Collage RBC-Ukraine)

Scientists claim people with this blood type more likely to have early stroke

People Who Don’t Show Empathy Usually Have These 18 Traits

People Who Don’t Show Empathy Usually Have These 18 Traits

26 Dream Cars Everyone Wants to Own

26 Dream Cars Everyone Wants to Own

18 Vintage Boy Names No One Else Is Using Yet

18 Vintage Boy Names No One Else Is Using Yet

Want the Max $4,873 Social Security Benefit? Here's the Salary You Need.

Want the Max $4,873 Social Security Benefit? Here's the Salary You Need.

50 most popular chain restaurants in America

The #1 restaurant chain in America, according to diners—and see the rest of the top 50

File:The Moon from Earth.jpg - Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

Scientists finally confirm what lies inside the Moon

Rotten tomato

Why You Should Be Tossing Rotten Tomatoes Down Your Garbage Disposal And Not The Trash

Fani Willis Democratic primary poll

Fani Willis Gets a Boost Out of Georgia

Ghosts of the USA: The Most Haunted Places in America

Ghosts of the USA: The Most Haunted Places in America

Average US annual salary by age revealed – see how you compare

Average US annual salary by age revealed – see how you compare

Here’s Why There Are 10 Hot Dogs in a Pack, But Only 8 Buns

Here’s Why There Are 10 Hot Dogs in a Pack, But Only 8 Buns

110 monumental movies from film history and why you need to see them

The films everyone should see at least once before they die, according to critics

Toyan V8 engine

What Is The Toyan V8 Engine Used For & How Much Horsepower Does It Have?

  • Search Please fill out this field.
  • Manage Your Subscription
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Newsletters
  • Sweepstakes
  • Entertainment

Rebecca Ferguson Says Her Mission: Impossible Character's Death Was 'Collaborative,' Not 'Enough Space' in Franchise

With “a lot of characters” joining the Tom Cruise franchise, Rebecca Ferguson says she had to make a difficult decision to have the “awesome” Ilsa Faust exit

Keith Hamshere/Paramount Pictures/ Everett 

Rebecca Ferguson is clarifying the reasons behind her exit from the Mission: Impossible franchise. 

The actress behind Ilsa Faust called the character’s planned death in 2023’s Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One “collaborative” in an upcoming interview on WrapWomen’s UnWrapped podcast, per TheWrap . 

“Ilsa was becoming a team player,” said Ferguson, 40, of her butt-kicking assassin first introduced in 2015’s fifth entry in the Tom Cruise -led series, Rogue Nation . “And we all can want different things, but for me… Ilsa was naughty. Ilsa was unpredictable.”

In the franchise’s sixth and seventh entries, there were “a lot of characters coming in, not leaving enough space for what she had been,” she added.

Ilsa’s introduction to the Mission: Impossible world preceded Vanessa Kirby as Alanna Mitsopolis a.k.a. the White Widow, Angela Bassett as CIA Director Erika Sloane, Henry Cavill as CIA assassin August Walker, Pom Klementieff as assassin Paris, Hayley Atwell as thief Grace and Esai Morales as terrorist Gabriel.

It was the latter character who murderously ended Ferguson’s reign as the “rogue” Ilsa, as the Dune star reportedly said on UnWrapped . “To speak very clearly — because I know a lot of people are sad about it, I’m sad about it — I had filmed three films. My [contract] deal was done.” 

Chiabella James/Paramount/Everett

She added that she loves her Mission: Impossible character “beyond words. I think she’s the most awesome, fantastic character.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Other considerations, she said, were the physical and logistical commitments to continuing in a blockbuster action franchise. “Selfishly, that’s a lot of time to make a Mission film. And unless you’re going to have a lot of screen time, that’s a lot of time sitting around waiting to film a huge movie that could take over a year to film.”

Ferguson added, “There’s a moment where you think it needs to be worth it, not just to love the character and to embrace Tom and [writer-director Christopher McQuarrie ] and the story. I want to work, man. I want to work. I don’t want to sit in a trailer… ​​It is so intoxicatingly exciting when you’re rolling, but there’s a lot of waiting.”

Daniele Venturelli/Getty

For a growing franchise — whose eighth film is expected to hit screens on May 23, 2025 — the star noted, “The more characters that are brought in, the more waiting.” After wrapping up Ilsa's story in Dead Reckoning Part One , Ferguson pointed out, she filmed both Dune movies and two seasons of Apple TV+ drama Silo . 

Ferguson also stars in the 2025 sci-fi drama Mercy with Annabelle Wallis and Chris Pratt.

Related Articles

Victoria Beckham’s 50th Birthday Party: From a Spice Girls Reunion to Tom Cruise Breakdancing & More

The fashion icon had a star-studded bash to celebrate her 50th birthday! Her old girl group performed some moves together, and other celebs attended the massive celebration.

victoria beckham, david beckham

Victoria Beckham   kicked off her 50th birthday with a bang! The former Spice Girl threw a huge, star-studded bash to celebrate her special day on Saturday, April 20. Victoria welcomed tons of famous friends to celebrate with her and her family, including her husband  David Beckham ,  and kids  Brooklyn ,  Cruz ,  Romeo , and  Harper , to help her ring in her 50th year!

One of the most exciting moments from the festivities included that Victoria reunited with her former girl group, the Spice Girls ! Victoria (Posh Spice) joined her old bandmates  Mel B  (Scary Spice),  Melanie C  (Sporty Spice),  Emma Bunton  (Baby Spice), and  Geri Halliwell  (Ginger Spice) to perform their dance moves to the song “Stop.” David shared a short video of the girls doing the synchronized dance on Instagram . “I mean come on,” he wrote in the caption, while tagging all of the ladies.

tom cruise mission impossible wife

Victoria shared a photo of the reunited girl group on Instagram . “The best gift to be reunited!! Thank you to all my friends and family for celebrating with me. Kisses!” she wrote in the caption.

The Spice Girls weren’t the only ones dancing for Victoria’s special day!   Tom Cruise   took some time away from filming the upcoming  Mission Impossible  film to attend the party. He showed off his dance moves to really steal the show, one guest told   Daily Mail . “People were absolutely dumbfounded,” the insider said.

Tom and the Spice Girls weren’t the only A-listers on the guest list for the party.   Salma Hayek , Eva Longoria , and Gordon Ramsay were all also seen heading into the birthday bash. Unfortunately, cameras were banned, so other than the Spice Girls video, it doesn’t seem like we’ll get more glimpses of what went down in the party anytime soon. It did seem like an excellent bash though, as Victoria was seen getting a piggyback ride from her husband out of the party afterwards.

tom cruise mission impossible wife

When Victoria’s birthday hit, David penned a beautiful message for his wife to kick off the festivities, paying tribute to her hard work over the years. “Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife… As you head into this birthday you should look back and be proud of what you have accomplished, achieved & what you have built, Posh spice, business woman & of course marrying an England captain,” he wrote.

IMAGES

  1. Tom Cruise and Hayley Atwell's Age and Net Worth Difference

    tom cruise mission impossible wife

  2. Mission Impossible 6: Tom Cruise ritrova la moglie Michelle Monaghan

    tom cruise mission impossible wife

  3. Michelle Monaghan accepts Mission to returns for Mission: Impossible 6

    tom cruise mission impossible wife

  4. Tom Cruise ‘dating’ Mission Impossible co-star Hayley Atwell

    tom cruise mission impossible wife

  5. Tom Cruise Prepares To Marry Vanessa Kirby: Auditioned Actress For Role

    tom cruise mission impossible wife

  6. HAYLEY ATWELL and Tom Cruise on the Set of Mission Impossible 7 in Rome

    tom cruise mission impossible wife

VIDEO

  1. Tom Cruise Mission: Impossible

COMMENTS

  1. Julia Meade-Hunt

    Dr. Julia Anne "Jules" Meade- (born c. 1977) is a major character in the Mission: Impossible film series, being a major protagonist in the 2006 film Mission: Impossible III, a cameo character in the 2011 film Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol and a supporting character in the 2018 film Mission: Impossible - Fallout. She is a nurse (later a doctor) and the former wife of IMF operative ...

  2. Mission Impossible 6: Michelle Monaghan will return as Ethan Hunt's wife

    Linda Meade-Hunt, who wedded Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt in Mission Impossible: III and has probably been in a constant state of agitation since then, will be returning for Mission Impossible 6.

  3. Michelle Monaghan Celebrates 'Mission: Impossible III'' s 15th

    Tom Cruise Must Pick a Side in Explosive Trailer for 'Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1' Hailey Bieber Shows off Her Latex Leggings in L.A., Plus Tracy Morgan, Leighton Meester and More

  4. Mission: Impossible

    When you're a spy who saves the world with some degree of frequency, it's unlikely the married life is for you. The Mission: Impossible franchise did try, however, with Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt marrying Julia Meade (Michelle Monaghan) before ultimately deciding to sacrifice his happiness to ensure her safety.. RELATED: Mission: Impossible - Fallout's High-Octane Ending, Explained

  5. Why Mission: Impossible's Michelle Monaghan Loved ...

    The Mission: ImpossibleIII actress has now expressed just why she loved working with Cruise on the set of the storied action franchise. Although she will not be reprising her role in the newest ...

  6. The Women of 'Mission: Impossible's Past & Present

    Tom Cruise can take the backseat for a minute as we focus on the female stars in 'Mission: Impossible's history. ... a member of the Impossible Mission Force and wife of the director of the force ...

  7. Michelle Monaghan Recalls Making Out with Tom Cruise for 'Mission

    Dec. 21, 2023, 11:59 AM PST / Source: TODAY. By Gina Vivinetto. Michelle Monaghan says her husband, Peter White, was "proud" that she made out with Tom Cruise during their honeymoon. During a ...

  8. 'Mission: Impossible' Star Recalls Making Out With Tom Cruise During

    Michelle Monaghan, who plays Tom Cruise's ex-wife, Julia, in the Mission: Impossible franchise, recently spoke with Collider the time she found herself making out with the Top Gun star on what ...

  9. Mission: Impossible III

    Mission: Impossible III (abbreviated as M:i:III) is a 2006 American action spy film directed by J. J. Abrams (in his directorial debut) and produced by and starring Tom Cruise, from a screenplay by Abrams and the writing team of Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci.It is the sequel to Mission: Impossible (1996) and Mission: Impossible 2 (2000) and the third installment in the Mission: Impossible ...

  10. Michelle Monaghan to Reunite With Tom Cruise for 'Mission: Impossible 6'

    Michelle Monaghan has joined the cast of Tom Cruise's "Mission: Impossible 6," the actress and writer and director Christopher McQuarrie both confirmed on social media. This marks her third ...

  11. Mission: Impossible (1996)

    Tom Barwick ... foley artist Jessica Bellfort ... assistant sound editor Tom Bellfort ... supervising sound editor Christopher Boyes ... sound designer John Casali ... utility sound Clive Copland ... boom operator David Crozier ... sound mixer Tony Eckert ... foley mixer

  12. Michelle Monaghan Jokingly Recalls Kissing Tom Cruise' While Filming

    The Made of Honor star, 47, recently recounted a hilarious story about how she had to film an intimate scene with Cruise, 61, for Mission Impossible: III right after her 2005 wedding to White.

  13. The Progressive Romance of 'Mission: Impossible

    Tom Cruise's lead character in the Mission: Impossible franchise has plenty of fallen allies in his past, not to mention an endless amount of betrayals and a whole lot of world-saving stress by ...

  14. Tom Cruise's 'Mission: Impossible' co-star says they made out while she

    Michelle Monaghan co-starred alongside Tom Cruise in the 2006 film "Mission: Impossible III." (Getty Images) "I had just gotten married and kind of skipped my honeymoon to start the film right away.

  15. Months After Dating Rumors, Tom Cruise And Hayley Atwell ...

    A New Mission: Impossible Still Shows Tom Cruise And Hayley Atwell Holding Hands Hayley Atwell took to her Instagram to post a new still from Mission: Impossible 7 in preparation for the movie's ...

  16. Tom Cruise's Spouses: Everything To Know About His 3 Marriages

    Tom Cruise's Ex-Wives: Everything To Know About His 3 Marriages To Katie, Nicole, & Mimi. The 'Mission: Impossible' star has been married thrice throughout his career.

  17. Who is Tom Cruise dating? A timeline of the Mission Impossible star's

    Mimi is Tom's first wife. The two met at a dinner party in 1985, and tied the knot with a private wedding in upstate New York on May 9, 1986, when Mimi was 31 and Tom was 24. MORE: Tom Cruise ...

  18. Ranking Tom Cruise's Mission: Impossible Team From Worst to Best

    Tom Cruise is launching once more into international espionage action with Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One, the seventh film in an increasingly impressive franchise that dates back ...

  19. Ethan Hunt

    The John Warner School. Ethan Matthew Hunt is a fictional character and the protagonist of the Mission: Impossible film series. He is portrayed by Tom Cruise. The character of Ethan Hunt is a highly skilled field agent and operative for the Impossible Mission Force (IMF), a secret government agency that handles dangerous and high-stakes missions.

  20. Tom Cruise dating Hayley Atwell, 'Mission: Impossible 7' co-star

    A production source told the Sun that Cruise, 58, and Atwell, 38, started dating after meeting on the set of "Mission: Impossible 7," saying the pair "hit it off from day one ...

  21. Inside Tom Cruise's secret love nest: Mission Impossible star, 61 ...

    Inside Tom Cruise's secret love nest: Mission Impossible star, 61, spends romantic nights with glamorous ex-wife, 36, of Russian oligarch in £10m luxury London apartment

  22. Tom Cruise pictured partying during daughter Suri Cruise's 18th

    Tom Cruise is a father-of-three and on April 18th, his youngest daughter Suri Cruise turned 18.. The Mission Impossible star shares Suri with his ex-wife, Katie Holmes, and the birthday girl was ...

  23. The Very Mission: Impossible Reason Tom Cruise Was Able To Attend

    At this point, the impossible mission seems to be completing filming on two Mission: Impossible movies. Tom Cruise has technically been working on the two films for more than four years, and it ...

  24. Does Ethan Hunt Have a Wife? Maybe It's 'Mission: Impossible'

    Former Wife: Julia Meade (Michelle Monaghan) Mission: Impossible - Fallout begins with Julia and Ethan on a tropical island getting married (again), with Ethan begging Julia to say no this time. It's a nightmare, of course, and we find Ethan really in Belfast. It's a few years later from Ethan and Faust's ( Rebecca Ferguson) last meet ...

  25. Tom Cruise geeked out at 'Mission: Impossible' premiere over 'goddess

    Column: 'Top Gun' casts Tom Cruise as the hero in the film and at the box office. May 27, 2022. "She can call me whatever she wants. She's Janet Jackson," the " Jerry Maguire " star ...

  26. Tom Cruise Comments On The 'Weirdest' On Set 'Mission: Impossible ...

    Tom Cruise has seemingly heard those rumors about him, and actually name dropped them in an interview with The Times about his public image. ... his "Mission: Impossible" co-star Simon Pegg came ...

  27. Rebecca Ferguson Talks 'Mission: Impossible' Character's Death

    Rebecca Ferguson and Tom Cruise in "Mission: Impossible - Fallout". Chiabella James/Paramount/Everett. She added that she loves her Mission: Impossible character "beyond words. I think she's ...

  28. Tom Cruise's daughter faces a hidden rule by Katie Holmes

    Tom Cruise's former wife Katie Holmes reportedly does not speak much about her daughter with the actor. While reports have emerged that the Mission: Impossible alum is reportedly "desperate ...

  29. Victoria Beckham's 50th Birthday Party: Tom Cruise Breakdances, More

    Tom Cruise took some time away from filming the upcoming Mission Impossible film to attend the party. He showed off his dance moves to really steal the show, one guest told Daily Mail .

  30. 2024 film productions currently shooting in the UK and Ireland ...

    Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part Two (May 23, 2025) The eighth edition in the action franchise. Dir: Christopher McQuarrie Prod: Tom Cruise Productions Where: London, Derbyshire When: March - July 2023; March 2024 - ongoing Ditsributor: Paramount Cast: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg ... A CIA cryptographer is desperate to avenge ...