Based on the first trailer for Mission: Impossible – The Final ReckoningEugene Kittridge will once again be a villain in the franchise. Although Kittridge was never a villain in the traditional sense, he and Ethan Hunt were on opposite sides in the first Mission: Impossible film. In the first film, Kittridge was the deputy director of the Impossible Mission Force, making him Ethan’s boss. However, after the 1996 film, Kittridge did not return to the long-running series until the seventh entry, Mission: Impossible – Reckoning.
After his role as Ethan’s ally in ReckoningKittridge will return once again in the next Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. The story of the eighth film in the series will continue after the cliffhanger ending of Mission: Impossible – Reckoning and will see Ethan and the rest of his team continuing their fight against Gabriel and the Entityan artificial intelligence program capable of infiltrating any system and disrupting the order of the world.
Kittridge appears to be a villain again in Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning
Kittridge served as Ethan’s antagonist in the First Mission: Impossible film
In the first Mission: Impossible film, Kittridge was convinced that Ethan was the mole inside the IMFand spent most of the film hunting him down. Based on the first film, audiences were used to Ethan and Kittridge having a hostile relationship with each other. Therefore, many fans were surprised when Kittridge tried to work with Ethan in Mission: Impossible – Reckoning. However, the trailer for The final reckoning causes their relationship to once again turn hostile.
A brief scene in The Final Reckoning trailer shows Kittridge alongside Gabrielwho was the main villain in Reckoning and acts as an agent of the Entity. In the scene, Kittridge is talking about Ethan’s flaws. Kittridge tells him, “That’s the standard, isn’t it? You refuse to sacrifice those you hold close.“It is surprising to see Kittridge seemingly on the side of Gabriel and the Entity, as he currently serves as Director of the CIA.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning made Kittridge yet another ally of Ethan
Kittridge returned to the franchise after 27 years of reckoning
In Mission: Impossible – ReckoningEthan disguised himself as Kittrdge’s personal secretary and infiltrated a meeting the CIA Director was attending. Ethan informed Kittridge of the key he needed to retrieve to stop the Entity, and Kittridge approved his mission and allowed him to leave the CIA. thirst unnoticed. This set the stage for Ethan and Kittridge to work as allies throughout the process. Reckoningwhich was the opposite of the previous dynamic.
Although he has been a useful ally to Ethan at various points in the Reckoninghis character works best when he is more villainous.
At the end of the film, Kittridge apparently accepts Grace’s desire to join the IMF and allows Ethan to continue his mission against the Entity. Although he has been a useful ally to Ethan at various points in the Reckoninghis character works best when he’s more villainous, as it gives Ethan another enemy he needs to overcome. Therefore, Kittridge potentially joining Gabriel in The final reckoning could be the most interesting direction for his character.
What Kittridge Being a Villain Means for Mission: Impossible – The Final Calculation
The CIA director could be a villain on a mission: impossible – the final calculation
After apparently being against Gabriel and the Entity in ReckoningKittridge working with them and becoming a villain in The final reckoning would have huge ramifications. If Kittridge is compromised, that essentially means the entire CIA is compromised, as he is currently serving as its Director. If he were working with the Entity, Kittridge could use CIA resources to serve artificial intelligence.
This would likely make taking down the Entity even more difficult for Ethan Hunt. Additionally, this could be the reason for the trailer The final reckoning reveals the return of Erika Sloanewho is played by Angela Basset. Sloane only appeared in Mission: Impossible – Falloutthe sixth film in the series, and was Director of the CIA before Kittridge. Therefore, Sloane could be returning in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning to help Ethan take down Kittridge.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is the direct sequel to Dead Reckoning – Part One and is the eighth film in the Mission: Impossible franchise. Billed as the final film, Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg and others will reprise their roles on Ethan Hunt’s IMF team as they face a dangerous enemy from their past.
- Director
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Christopher McQuarrie
- Release date
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May 23, 2025
- Studio(s)
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Paramount Pictures, Skydance