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Despite the fact that “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” was intended to be a tribute to the entire series, several characters from previous movies in the saga do not make an appearance in this film. It remains uncertain whether “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” the latest action blockbuster, will mark the end of the franchise. Both Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie have shown interest in creating another installment, but the conclusion of “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” is quite fulfilling. Consequently, there’s a possibility that the prolonged spy series has reached its conclusion.

It wouldn’t be unexpected, though it might be a bit disheartening to find that some characters from earlier Mission: Impossible films aren’t present in The Final Reckoning. Given the length of the franchise, which spans nearly three decades, it’s reasonable that the main cast has undergone a few changes over time. In fact, Luther is the only character, apart from Ethan Hunt played by Tom Cruise, who has appeared in every movie. However, it’s still a letdown that some beloved characters haven’t reappeared in the series yet. Consequently, here are six of Ethan Hunt’s allies who seem to be alive but didn’t appear in The Final Reckoning:

6. Nyah Nordoff-Hall

Appeared In: Mission: Impossible 2

It’s somewhat unexpected that Thandie Newton, who played a major character and Ethan Hunt’s love interest in Mission: Impossible 2, hasn’t reappeared in the franchise since then. In the second film of the series, Nyah was portrayed by Thandie Newton, an acclaimed actress recognized for her role as Maeve in HBO’s Westworld. Prior to developing feelings for Ethan Hunt, Nyah had a relationship with Sean Ambrose, the primary antagonist in Mission: Impossible 2. Due to her ties to Ambrose, Ethan enlists Nyah to join the IMF and assist in taking him down.

In the movie Mission: Impossible 2, Nyah becomes infected with the lethal Chimera virus. However, luckily for her, Ethan manages to save her. At the end of the second film, Nyah was last seen in Australia with Ethan. It seems that Ethan and Nyah were a content couple at the conclusion of Mission: Impossible 2; however, it’s evident that their relationship did not last as she does not reappear in subsequent films. Intriguingly, by the time Mission: Impossible III rolls around, Ethan has already moved on to a new romantic interest.

5. Billy Baird

Appeared In: Mission: Impossible 2

In the movie “Mission: Impossible 2”, John Polson portrays the character Billy, who functions as a team member alongside Ethan, Luther, and Nyah. Throughout the film, Billy works closely with Ethan Hunt to thwart Sean Ambrose’s attempt to spread the Chimera virus. Loyal to both Ethan and the IMF, Billy plays a crucial role in the mission. Interestingly, despite his significant contribution in “Mission: Impossible 2”, Billy has not made an appearance in any other “Mission: Impossible” films, which is somewhat unusual for this franchise.

Billy was last spotted aiding Nyah in Australia alongside Ethan and Luther. Given that Luther has been a constant presence in every Mission: Impossible movie since, it’s a bit disheartening that Billy hasn’t reappeared. Most likely, the creative team responsible for Mission: Impossible III and subsequent films chose not to reinstate him because Mission: Impossible 2 is the lowest-rated film in the franchise. This might also be the reason why Nyah, another significant character from the second movie, has yet to return.

4. Zhen Lei

Appeared In: Mission: Impossible III

In the film “Mission: Impossible III,” Zhen Lei functions as an IMF operative and collaborates with the character Ethan Hunt. As opposed to the initial two installments in the series, “Mission: Impossible III” delved deeper into Ethan’s personal life and his relationships within the IMF. This exploration of character development makes Zhen a crucial figure in the movie. She assists Ethan in capturing Owen Davian within Vatican City and joins him in Shanghai, China, in their pursuit of the Rabbit’s Foot.

It’s a shame that the skilled character, Zhen, didn’t feature in Mission: Impossible III despite contributing significantly to the storyline. Though she was injured towards the end of the movie, Zhen played an essential role in helping Ethan on his mission to rescue his wife in Mission: Impossible III. She bid farewell to Ethan and Julie at the IMF headquarters before they embarked on their honeymoon. In this film, Zhen was portrayed by Maggie Q, who is also known for her roles in series such as Nikita and Designated Survivor.

3. Declan Gormley

Appeared In: Mission: Impossible III

Similar to Zhen, Declan serves as an IMF agent and a valuable asset on Ethan’s team within Mission: Impossible III. As one would anticipate from an IMF agent, Declan demonstrates exceptional fighting skills and is adept at espionage, providing significant assistance to Ethan throughout the third film in the series. In Mission: Impossible III, Declan’s role is portrayed by Jonathan Rhys Meyers, a versatile actor who has been featured in movies like Bend It Like Beckham, Match Point, and the TV show The Tudors.

Despite being the lowest-earning film in the Mission: Impossible series, critics generally appreciated Mission: Impossible III more than the second installment. Consequently, it wouldn’t have been entirely unexpected if characters from that movie, such as Ethan’s allies, reappeared in future Mission: Impossible films. Given that Benji, introduced in Mission: Impossible III, eventually became a key figure in the series, played by Simon Pegg, it was reasonable to anticipate the return of other characters like Zhen and Declan. However, much like Zhen, Declan has not made an appearance in the franchise since his last scene at the IMF headquarters at the end of Mission: Impossible III.

2. Jane Carter

Appeared In: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol

As a movie critic, I must say that I was thoroughly impressed with my role as IMF agent Jane Carter alongside Ethan Hunt in the groundbreaking film, “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.” This movie marked a significant shift for the franchise, showcasing an unprecedented level of ambition compared to its predecessors.

Among the many standout moments, the Burj Khalifa sequence in “Ghost Protocol” undeniably ranks as one of the best in the entire series. The way they executed that scene was nothing short of extraordinary.

It’s quite surprising that despite the film’s massive success, Jane Carter has yet to make a return to the franchise. In “Ghost Protocol,” Paula Patton brought Jane to life with her captivating performance. Her work in this film is a testament to her versatility as an actress, as she has also shone in movies such as “2 Guns” and “Warcraft.

In the film “Ghost Protocol,” Patton excels in her part and Jane is among the top-tier characters within the series. Not only does Jane possess impressive skills as an IMF agent, but she’s also on a vengeful crusade due to Sabine Moreau, one of the movie’s antagonists, murdering her lover. At the end of “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol,” Jane was seen with Ethan and the team in Seattle, hinting that she might join them permanently. Regrettably, Patton hasn’t returned to play her character since then.

1. William Brandt

Appeared In: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol & Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation

Among all the characters listed, only William Brandt has been featured in more than one Mission: Impossible film. This character, portrayed by Jeremy Renner, can be found in both Ghost Protocol and Rogue Nation. Initially, there were expectations that Renner might take over as the main lead for the series. However, following the success of Ghost Protocol and Tom Cruise’s resurgence in popularity, this did not come to pass. Regardless, Brandt remains one of the standout characters in both Ghost Protocol and Rogue Nation.

In the movie “Ghost Protocol”, Brandt and Ethan frequently clash, with Brandt carrying the burden of knowing he’s responsible for Ethan’s wife Julia’s death as he led the IMF team tasked with protecting her. This makes him hesitant to collaborate with Ethan on missions in the field. However, when Ethan discloses that he staged Julia’s demise to shield her, Brandt finds solace and they become efficient teammates. At the conclusion of “Rogue Nation”, Brandt was last spotted at a Senate committee hearing where the IMF regained its status.

In the film “Ghost Protocol”, there is a constant tension between Brandt and Ethan, as the former is haunted by his role in the death of Ethan’s wife Julia, whom he was supposed to protect. This reluctance to work together dissipates when Ethan confesses that he fabricated Julia’s death for her protection. At the end of “Rogue Nation”, Brandt can be seen at a Senate hearing where the IMF is reinstated.

Following his appearances in two films, some spectators anticipated that Renner would continue his popular character in “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”. However, it was revealed that Brandt’s role was initially supposed to be minor and he would have been written off in “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”. Yet, according to reports, Renner refused to participate in the film if Brandt wasn’t a main character. As a result, Brandt has not made an appearance since the end of “Rogue Nation” and is also absent from “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning“, raising speculation about his possible absence even in the potential final installment of the series.

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2025-05-31 18:09