10 Things You Need To Know Before You See MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – ROGUE NATION

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation hits cinema and IMAX screens at the end of July. The fifth instalment in the franchise once again sees Tom Cruise conduct some gravity defying scenes as intrepid IMF agent Ethan Hunt. Before you check out the Christopher McQuarrie directed film – you’ll want to know these ten Mission: Impossible facts.

1. The films are based on a television show created by Bruce Geller. The show ran for 7 seasons (1966-1973) and 171 episodes. Over the years its cast included Peter Graves, Martin Landau, Leonard Nemoy, Barbara Bain, Lesley Ann Down and Sam Elliott. Lalo Schrifrin composed the now iconic theme tune – which is still used in the movies. An updated version of the show aired in 1988. It ran for 2 seasons (35 episodes) but it never matched the success of the original.

2. Each Mission: Impossible film has a different director. Brian De Palma, John Woo, J.J Abrams, Brad Bird and now Christopher McQuarrie have helmed the features. Joe Carnahan and David Fincher have come close to directing entries into the franchise.

3. Peter Graves turned down the chance to reprise the role of Jim Phelps in Brian DePalma’s film because he was unhappy that the character was the film’s villain. Jon Voigt originally played the part.

4. 1996’s Mission: Impossible was the first film produced by Tom Cruise. He has produced every film in the series, while non-Mission: Impossible films have included Narc, Ask The Dusk, Vanilla Sky and The Others.

5. Mission: Impossible II was Tom Cruises first sequel. To-date, the actor has not starred in any sequels to any other films (Top Gun and Jack Reacher sequels are in development)

1. . The first four Mission: Impossible movies have grossed over $2 billion globally. 2011’s Ghost Protocol scored nearly $695 million worldwide – making it Tom Cruise’s biggest box office hit.

2. Apart from Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames’ Luther Stickell is the only character to appear in all five Mission: Impossible films.

3. Mission: Impossible II’s Dougray Scott was originally cast as Wolverine in Bryan Singer’s X-Men, however he had to drop-out of the film when shooting on the spy movie over-ran. Hugh Jackman got the part – and the rest is history.

4. Each Mission: Impossible film sees Cruise’s Ethan Hunt take part in some death defying feat. Cruise often does these without the use of a stuntman. Rogue Nation sees Cruise hanging from A400m Airbus during take-off.

5. Mission: Impossible 6 is already in development.

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation opens in the UK and Ireland on 30 July and in the US on 31 July.

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