Summary:
- Jeremy Renner expresses eagerness to rejoin “Mission: Impossible” franchise as William Brandt after recovering from a near-fatal accident.
- Renner stepped away from the series after 2015 to focus on fatherhood but remains fond of the franchise and his character.
- With improved health and his daughter older, Renner is open to returning, potentially appearing in future “Mission: Impossible” films.
Jeremy Renner, who staged a remarkable comeback from a near-fatal accident in 2021, has expressed his eagerness to rejoin the Mission: Impossible franchise.
Renner played a pivotal role in the franchise, portraying William Brandt, a skilled and tech-savvy IMF agent. He debuted in the 2011 blockbuster Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, which saw the IMF team framed for a terrorist bombing and forced to clear their name while on the run. Renner’s Brandt proved to be a valuable asset to Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team, providing crucial technical support and intelligence gathering throughout the film’s globe-trotting missions.
He reprised his role in the 2015 sequel, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, where Brandt once again assisted Hunt in a thrilling chase to capture a rogue faction within the IMF selling deadly weaponry on the black market.
Despite his successful run as Brandt, Renner made the difficult decision to step away from the series after the birth of his daughter Ava in 2013. Following a brief marriage and subsequent divorce, shared custody responsibilities limited the amount of time he could dedicate to the demanding filming schedule of a Mission: Impossible movie, which is notorious for its high-octane action sequences and intense production periods.
“I had to leave that,” Renner said in a recent interview with Collider. He emphasized his enjoyment of the franchise, his fellow cast members, and especially Tom Cruise. Renner highlighted the camaraderie and sense of fun that permeated the filming process, while also expressing his fondness for the character of William Brandt.
In late 2021, Renner’s life took a dramatic turn when he was involved in a near-fatal snow plow accident on his Nevada property. The accident left him with significant injuries, and his recovery required extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. Through sheer determination and resilience, Renner has made a remarkable comeback, inspiring many with his positive attitude and unwavering spirit.
With his daughter now older and his health restored, Renner is open to returning to the franchise. “Maybe now that my daughter is older that could happen,” he said. His enthusiasm remains strong, “I’d always jump into a Mission: Impossible anytime and back into Brandt. It’s great.”
Whether Renner will officially suit up for another mission remains to be seen. The next installment in the franchise, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two, is slated for release in May 2025. However, considering Renner’s openness to returning and the franchise’s history of welcoming back past characters, there’s a good chance we could see William Brandt back in action in a future Mission: Impossible film.
