Shea Whigham has completed his role as Jasper Briggs in the upcoming Mission: Impossible 8. However, Tom Cruise has issued a stern warning, indicating that the journey to complete the film is far from over. Over a dinner conversation, Cruise emphasized that the sequel will be a “sprint to finish,” promising an exhilarating adventure film experience.
Whigham, who played a pivotal role in last summer’s Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning, portrayed the relentless Jasper Briggs, determined to capture Ethan Hunt, played by Cruise. Although Whigham has wrapped up his scenes, he revealed that the production still has significant work ahead, according to Cruise. The actor shared this insight on Thursday, June 6, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
“I wrapped [filming] ten days ago,” Whigham stated. Despite his part being complete, Cruise warned him that the sequel still has a long way to go before its 2025 release. This indicates that while Whigham’s role is done, the film itself faces numerous challenges before it can hit theaters.
During their dinner, Cruise highlighted the immense effort required to finish the film. “We did this scene between Tom and myself. And then Tom said, ‘We’re going to go out to dinner.’ So, we went out to dinner when I was done, and then Tom said, ‘Do you realize that we come out one year from today? And it’s going to be a sprint to finish the f—ing thing,’” Whigham recounted.
Cruise is known for his dedication to delivering high-quality films, and his commitment to Mission: Impossible 8 is no exception. “What he’s doing now… people are going to be floored. He wants to make this one like an adventure film, and he and McQuarrie have an idea of what they want to do with it. So, it’s going to be amazing,” Whigham added.
The production of Mission: Impossible 8 has faced delays, partly due to the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strikes. These strikes have pushed the release date to 2025, adding to the challenges the production team faces.
Despite the delays, Whigham is enthusiastic about reprising his role as Jasper Briggs. In his first portrayal of The Community’s enforcer, Whigham aimed to honor classic films like Midnight Run and The Fugitive. He approached the material with a deep respect for these films, as he mentioned in an interview with Slash Film.
“I wanted to honor the Midnight Run of it all, The Fugitive of it all. I’m big on paying homage to films that I love, and so we sprinkled some of that in there and I just wanted to make Briggs a wild card. By any means possible, he tried to take Ethan in, with it being real and personal underneath,” Whigham explained.
As the production team races against time to complete Mission: Impossible 8, fans can expect an action-packed adventure that lives up to the high standards set by the franchise. With Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie at the helm, the film promises to deliver an unforgettable cinematic experience.
While the road to completion may be challenging, the dedication and passion of the cast and crew ensure that Mission: Impossible 8 will be worth the wait. As Cruise and Whigham have indicated, the film is set to be an extraordinary addition to the beloved franchise, offering fans a thrilling adventure that will leave them on the edge of their seats.
