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In the scorching summer of 2005, Simon Pegg stepped onto the Paramount studio to film a minor role for J.J. Abrams and Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible III. Given that the director and co-producer were enthusiasts of his previous zombie comedy, Shaun of the Dead (released in 2004), Pegg assumed his character as IMF technician Benji Dunn was merely a fleeting whim of their interest. Little did he know that this role would last him two decades, as he continues to play Dunn even in the eighth installment of the franchise, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.

For the first time, I visited Hollywood and performed some minor tasks on the Paramount Studios lot. Afterward, I returned home, assuming that was my only brush with fame,” Pegg shared with The Hollywood Reporter in anticipation of The Final Reckoning’s May 23 release in theaters. “However, around a year after Mission III hit screens, I received an email from J.J., asking if I would be okay with Benji becoming a field agent. To which I replied, ‘I’d be quite pleased.’

In Christopher McQuarrie’s fourth film as both writer and director, titled “The Final Reckoning“, marks Simon Pegg’s sixth outing within the Mission series. The story unfolds roughly two months following the events of 2023’s “Dead Reckoning“. As the Impossible Missions Force races against time, they strive to thwart the Entity from bringing about global nuclear destruction. This time, Ethan Hunt leads a slightly altered team due to the AI villain’s machinations that led to the demise of Rebecca Ferguson’s beloved character, Ilsa Faust, in “Dead Reckoning“.

Pegg, who formed a strong bond with Ferguson following their first collaboration in the 2015 blockbuster “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation”, acknowledged that her absence was noticeable during “The Final Reckoning”.

Pegg shared that Rebecca was not just a friend, but someone he held dear. They were each other’s support system in the chaotic and often intense environment of Mission: Impossible. He noted that during the filming of Dead Reckoning, COVID-19 restrictions actually brought the new cast closer together quickly. By the time they got to Final Reckoning, this bond helped ease the pain of Rebecca’s absence a bit. However, losing Rebecca was still difficult because she was an exceptional actress.

“The Final Reckoning” serves as the culmination of all the “Mission” films, but it’s unclear if it will serve as the definitive ending. Simon Pegg is uncertain about the future of the franchise, though he doesn’t quite say that this latest film marks the end. However, just a few days after this interview with Pegg, Cruise told THR, “It’s not called ‘Final’ for nothing.”

“The Final Reckoning” is the final installment in the Mission series, but it’s not clear if it’s truly the end. Simon Pegg isn’t sure about the franchise’s future, but he didn’t exactly say this film is the last one. However, Tom Cruise told THR that the title ‘Final’ means something.
In even simpler terms:
The latest Mission movie might be the final one, but it’s not certain. The actor isn’t sure about future films, but he didn’t say this movie is the end. However, Tom Cruise hinted that the title ‘Final’ is significant.

To me, it seems like we’re reaching a conclusion. McQ examined the past films thoroughly and traced the Entity’s origins, as Pegg explains. And indeed, with this movie, it feels like we’ve reached the end of the line for me.

In a recent chat with THR, Pegg delves into the evolution of Benji’s character over two decades and shares why he wasn’t required to see Cruise perform his death-defying feats during the filming of Final Reckoning.

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20 years have passed since the production of Mission: Impossible III began in the summer of 2005. Looking back now, when you left the set of J.J. Abrams, did you think that marked the conclusion of your involvement with the IMF?

Indeed! It seems like your experience stemmed from a shared appreciation for “Shaun of the Dead.” Tom and J.J., being fans, suggested involving you in a small role based on their conversation about the movie. J.J. contacted you, which left you surprised and slightly overwhelmed. You then traveled to Hollywood for the first time, filmed your part on the Paramount lot, and assumed that was the end of it. Later, after “Mission III” was released, J.J. emailed you about turning your character into a field agent. You were open to the idea, which marked the start of a series of films featuring your character. It wasn’t until later that you realized it would develop into six movies; the invitation to rejoin the project was a delightful surprise.

Do you recall when the broken ankle in Mission: Impossible – Fallout seemed unbearable? Now, looking back, it feels insignificant next to the challenges faced during the making of both Reckoning movies. At any point, did the situation become almost too much to handle?

Over time, we’ve consistently managed to maintain our ground. In February 2020, due to clear reasons, we temporarily halted operations in Norway. However, we resumed work again in November under stringent safety measures. It was tough, but we overcame the hurdles. Adaptation is key. Every project I’ve taken on has had an equally demanding counterpart, that of executing the project itself. The objectives and obstacles we set ourselves appear insurmountable at first, yet somehow, we find a way to achieve them. With each film, we’ve simply persevered through the challenges, kept our noses to the grindstone, and found solutions along the way. We were destined to reach our destination; it was just a matter of finding the path.

During the production of “Dead Reckoning,” we encountered obstacles, with the pandemic being the most significant one. Additionally, writers’ and actors’ strikes postponed the start of filming for “The Final Reckoning,” which was bothersome yet essential. Once filming resumed, we picked up pace quickly, leaving behind everything that had hindered us during “Dead Reckoning.” I sensed that “The Final Reckoning” was more liberated. It felt more like a typical shoot due to the absence of Covid-19 protocols, and for me, “The Final Reckoning” was the most enjoyable production among all the “Missions” I’ve been part of.

In fact, I wasn’t talking about the polar bear experience in the Arctic. Was it your thought that this fits well with our Objective instead?

(Chuckles.) Of course! On these film sets, you can’t predict what might occur. It’s essential to stay prepared for the unexpected. A polar bear strolling onto the set was simply another ordinary event.

In “The Final Reckoning,” Benji frequently says, “We’ll figure it out.” This phrase is a common backstage motto for the “Mission: Impossible” series. Since most of these movies are improvised, there’s often an element of uncertainty. Does one never truly know what they’ve created until they watch the movie for the first time?

McQ doesn’t completely wing his stories; while he works spontaneously, there’s a preliminary plan in his mind about where the movie will head. It’s not entirely improvised – he has storylines and concepts he wants to explore, leaving some aspects for discovery. McQ thrives when solving puzzles, and a blank sheet of paper might as well be a mystery to him. However, give him a problem to solve, and he’ll tackle it swiftly. He’s exceptionally skilled at figuring out difficulties, and as Tom puts it, “Pressure is a privilege. Every crisis is an opportunity.” In essence, McQ’s best work comes under pressure, making the impossible possible – the true spirit of Mission: Impossible.

I thoroughly enjoyed “Dead Reckoning,” but the events in Venice continue to linger in my mind. It was peculiar, wasn’t it, that Rebecca Ferguson wasn’t present in this installment?

Absolutely, she was indeed my dear friend, and I hold her in high regard. In the tumultuous journey of Mission: Impossible, where things often became chaotic like a whirlwind circus, Rebecca and I were always there for each other to lean on when times got tough. We found solace in our friendship, sharing laughter amidst the madness. However, the Covid-19 restrictions during Dead Reckoning had a silver lining. They brought us closer as a cast, fostering rapid camaraderie within our bubble. We shared meals, games, and workspaces, creating an unbreakable bond in a short span of time. By the time we reached Final Reckoning, Rebecca’s absence was filled by Pom Klementieff, Tarzan Davis, Hayley Atwell, Esai Morales, and Shea Whigham. This helped ease the pain slightly, but losing Rebecca, a talented actress, was still a difficult pill to swallow.

During most of The Final Reckoning, Ethan goes on a solo adventure. As a result, he appoints Benji as the head of the IMF team. Did this shift in leadership feel refreshing to you?

Absolutely, I’ve always admired McQ’s talent for playing the long game. He didn’t want Benji to shine too brightly right away. During the production of Ghost Protocol, a scene in the original script featured Benji swooping in on a rope with a machine gun, saving the day. McQ promptly removed that scene, which left me frustrated and questioning his decision, exclaiming, “Why did you eliminate that? That was a thrilling moment!” To this, he responded, “What did you like about that scene?” I replied, “I just wanted Benji to do something impressive.” He then penned the scene where I rescue Jeremy Renner’s character, William Brandt, from his adversary by shooting him. This turned out to be a more meaningful, character-driven moment because Benji was still new to the field and didn’t have much experience. Thus, it was surprising yet believable since it fell within his capabilities at that point.

After a span of two movies, it wasn’t until the third one when Benji first donned a mask for fieldwork. McQ ensured that every action Benji took was consistent with his character. It wasn’t until this movie that he got the chance to command a team, and Ethan told him, “You’re ready now.” This moment felt genuine and accurate. I appreciated this development because it seemed like we had been playing a 20-year-long game, and the payoff was Benji being fully fleshed out as an agent and a competent leader. Although it took 20 years, he eventually reached that point, and I’m glad we waited that long.

Since Ethan is mostly by himself, did you manage to avoid seeing Tom’s risky actions during this round?

I’m grateful for that, indeed. Being present during those big stunts has always been a nerve-wracking experience for me throughout the years. Interestingly, even if we could have joined him when he was performing these daring feats, we wouldn’t have been able to soar in the sky on biplanes with him or dive beneath the water to witness his actions firsthand. The gimbal for the Sevastopol, a remarkable piece of film technology, was the closest we got. However, there wasn’t the same level of anxiety and fear as when Tom performs dangerous stunts like jumping from great heights or hanging precariously for the sake of cinema.

At one point, Tom was inquired about the reason he takes risks with stunts, to which he replied, “Nobody ever asked Gene Kelly, ‘Why do you dance?'” This statement holds some truth, but it’s important to note that Gene Kelly wasn’t putting his life on the line while dancing the jitterbug. Can you decipher the reasoning behind this?

Absolutely, he’s deeply passionate about crafting an authentic and thrilling cinematic journey for his viewers. He immerses himself completely in cinema – from eating, living, sleeping to breathing it. For him, it’s not just a profession but a way of life. He openly admits this. His identity is closely tied to it. He believes that going the extra mile, even ten times over, ensures an unforgettable cinematic experience for the audience. While you watch a character performing something extraordinary, you can’t help but realize that you’re witnessing an actor doing something equally remarkable.

For Tom, it’s always the characters that take center stage. It’s not the thrilling stunts or exotic locations; what truly matters is the depth and authenticity of the characters portrayed on screen. If a story lacks strong character development, it loses its significance for him. Consequently, he strives to perform his own stunts whenever possible, ensuring that the audience sees genuine characters at all times. This focus on character development, in Tom’s view, is crucial.

In the movie “Dead Reckoning,” there’s an outstanding example of Tom Cruise delivering a line to Caleb Landry Jones (Benji) while both are freefalling. Cruising off a cliff, Benji asks, “Did you make it? Are you alright?” To which Tom replies, “I’m trying to get away from this mountain.” This particular line was delivered during freefall, and due to its comedic nature, timing was crucial. It would have been impossible to achieve with a stunt person, but feasible with a digital character. However, such a depiction wouldn’t feel authentic because it wouldn’t appear genuine. Instead, Tom Cruise demonstrates his understanding of the scene’s requirements.

Have you ever seen him noticeably afraid of what he was about to do?

Despite witnessing him display various signs of anxiety, unease, and intense focus, I believe he doesn’t experience fear in the traditional sense. Instead, he seems to be someone who meticulously evaluates potential risks, prepares thoroughly, and manages his emotions effectively. Consequently, while he may exhibit nervousness like most people would, I have never observed him showing signs of true fear.

Lastly, is Final Reckoning the end for you and Mission?

I find “The Final Reckoning” incredibly fulfilling as a conclusion to these films. It seems conclusive to me. The movie ties up many loose ends from what came before, and McQ skillfully delved into the past, examining how he could trace the Entity’s origin and how Ethan’s unwillingness to make sacrifices would influence the series of events that led to this point. For me, it truly feels like an ending.

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Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning opens in the movie theaters nationwide on May 23.

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2025-05-20 20:27