Jeremy Renner has recently opened up about his decision to step away from the Mission: Impossible franchise, shedding light on the reasons behind his departure. The actor, known for his role as William Brandt in the series, revealed that creative differences and personal commitments played significant roles in his choice.
Renner, who starred in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol in 2011 and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation in 2015, did not return for the subsequent films, Fallout in 2018 and Dead Reckoning in 2023. During a candid conversation on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the 53-year-old actor shared that he was not on board with the plan to kill off his character after just a week of shooting.
“I remember they tried to bring me overseas for a week so they could kill my character,” Renner recounted. “I was like, ‘No, you don’t get to do that. You’re not going to drag me over there and just kill my character.’ If you’re going to use my character, you’re going to do it right.”
Renner humorously added that he told director Christopher McQuarrie, “Dude, you’re not going to do this to me like that; you’re not going to do me wrong.”
In a separate interview with Collider, Renner further explained that his decision was also influenced by his desire to be a present father to his daughter, Ava. “I had to leave that,” Renner said. “I was supposed to do more with them. I love those guys. I love Tom [Cruise] so much. We had so much fun, and I love that character a lot. It requires a lot of time away. It’s all in London. I had to go be a dad. It just wasn’t gonna work out then.”
Renner shares his 11-year-old daughter with his ex-wife, Canadian model Sonni Pacheco. He has often spoken about his deep love and appreciation for Ava, emphasizing that his role as a father is his top priority.
Despite his departure, Renner expressed openness to returning to the franchise now that his daughter is older. “Maybe now that my daughter is older that could happen,” he said. “I’d always jump into a Mission: Impossible anytime and back into Brandt. It’s great.”
Renner’s character, William Brandt, remains alive in the film’s universe, leaving the door open for a potential return. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding his comeback. The eighth installment of the Mission: Impossible series is slated for release in 2025.
Renner’s life took a dramatic turn in January 2023 when he was involved in a severe snowplough accident. The incident left him with over 30 broken bones and required surgery and intensive care. Nearly a year and a half later, Renner has made a remarkable recovery and has been candid about the harrowing details of his injuries.
In a heartfelt music video dedicated to his daughter, Renner expressed his gratitude for her support during his recovery. “To my daughter, my everything, my only thing, my number one,” he said in the video’s introduction. “You are the best part of me. Your grace, your thoughtfulness, and your constitution make me so very proud.”
Renner’s dedication to his daughter and his commitment to his family have been evident throughout his career. His decision to prioritize his role as a father over his professional commitments is a testament to his character and values.
As fans of the Mission: Impossible franchise, we support Jeremy Renner’s decision to step away from the series to focus on his family. His contributions to the films have been significant, and his portrayal of William Brandt has left a lasting impact. While we hope to see him return to the franchise in the future, we respect and admire his choice to prioritize what matters most to him.
