Ethan Hunt is back in action, and his latest mission officially has a name: Mission Impossible — The Final Reckoning.

The first trailer for the eighth film in the massively successful spy franchise dropped Monday. With it came the new title, new characters, and a look at more insane stunts by star Tom Cruise in Ethan's latest mission.

As Ethan hangs from planes and explores submarines, he's told that "the fate of every living soul is your responsibility," and that there are consequences for the fact that he refuses to sacrifice those he loves. But as Ethan says, "I need you to trust me ... one last time."

Originally titled Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part 2, the film was slated for release on June 28, 2024, before being delayed in October on account of the writers' and actors' strikes last year. At the time, it was reported that the film would no longer be called Dead Reckoning Part 2, but it was unclear what the title would be or what the title change would mean for the film itself.

Last year's Dead Reckoning Part One saw Cruise's spy extraordinaire and leader of the IMF battle a rogue AI cyberweapon known as the Entity, as well as Gabriel (Esai Morales), an assassin looking to control it.

Arguably, the most shocking part of the film was (spoilers!) the death of Hunt's friend and fellow spy Ilsa Faust, who had been a major part of the series since 2015's Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation. Played by Rebecca Ferguson, Faust was killed on a bridge in Venice by Morales' villainous Gabriel. A devastated Ethan arrived too late to help her but naturally vowed to avenge her death.

In addition to Cruise and Morales, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Vanessa Kirby, Pom Klementieff, and Henry Czerny all reprise their roles from the previous film in the franchise.

Meanwhile, series newcomers include Nick Offerman, Hannah Waddingham, Katy O'Brian (Love Lies Bleeding), Holt McCallany (Mindhunter), Tramell Tillman (Severance), and Janet McTeer (Ozark).

Cruise is once again producing the Paramount and Skydance film with director Christopher McQuarrie (who returns to direct a fourth time in the franchise). David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, and Chris Brock are executive producing.

The Final Reckoning: A Stunt-Filled Showdown

The trailer for Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning is packed with action. Tom Cruise, as always, is putting his body on the line for the sake of entertainment. He's diving, flying, and running as Ethan Hunt.

The trailer also reveals some of the challenges that Ethan will face in this mission, including a battle with a deadly AI program called "The Entity" and an encounter with a submarine that might be the key to everything.

New Faces and Familiar Faces

In addition to the returning cast, The Final Reckoning also introduces several new characters. Hannah Waddingham, known for her role in Ted Lasso, and Nick Offerman, famous for his role in Parks and Recreation, are among the new additions to the franchise. The trailer also features quick glimpses of other newcomers.

The End of an Era?

The title The Final Reckoning suggests that this might be Ethan Hunt's last mission. It's a fitting title for a franchise that has been running for over two decades, and the trailer certainly emphasizes a sense of finality.

With Cruise's dedication to pushing the boundaries of stunt work and the franchise's continued success, it is possible that this isn't the end of Ethan Hunt's journey, and there is more to come. But, if this is the end of the road for Ethan Hunt, it will certainly be a memorable one.

The Final Reckoning: A Conclusive Climax?

Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning is set to release on May 23, 2025. We'll have to wait to see if it lives up to its title and truly concludes Ethan Hunt's story or whether it marks a new beginning for the franchise.