I’m Still Waiting For Rebecca Ferguson’s Own Action Movie After Breakout $682 Million Role

Actress Rebecca Ferguson has been on a hot streak in recent years, in no small part thanks to her success in the Mission: Impossible franchise – yet, despite her breakout role nine years ago, we’re still waiting to see her lead a franchise of her own. Ferguson has proven her credentials as a science fiction star, but so far there’s been little sign of a Ferguson-led action film. With a lack of solid female-led action films over the years, Ferguson could easily follow a similar route as Charlize Theron to become a staple of the genre – finally capitalizing on her previous $682 million success.

The most recent movie in the franchise, 2023’s Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning, pulled in over $567 million worldwide and received rave reviews, with fans lauding the character of Ilsa Faust, portrayed by Ferguson. With its release on streaming, Dead Reckoning even spent some time in Netflix’s top 10, proving that while considered an underperformer at the box office, the film still has legs. Dead Reckoning was just the latest movie to feature Ferguson as Ilsa Faust, further cementing her action pedigree. And yet, despite her obvious potential in the genre, she still hasn’t built on her breakout role in a solo capacity.

Rebecca Ferguson Never Received A Starring Action Movie Role After Mission: Impossible Debut

Her Fantastic Performance Hasn’t Translated Into A Starring Role

Ferguson has played a supporting role in three different films in the Mission Impossible franchise, with 2015’s Rogue Nation representing her impressive debut. Her acting in each has been phenomenal, but Rogue Nation was the movie in which she really burst onto the scene – proving more than a match for Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt and warranting regular appearances throughout the series. It’s testament to her popularity that, in the aftermath of her shocking Dead Reckoning death, many fans are calling for Ferguson to return to the Mission Impossible franchise.

Strangely, however, this success hasn’t translated into more action roles for the star. At least not in a leading role. Since Dead Reckoning’s release, Ferguson has largely stayed away from the action genre. Even after her Ghost Protocol success, Ferguson didn’t appear in another action franchise, nor get her own standalone project. She has reportedly signed on to the film Best Served Cold, which promises to be an even further departure by returning the actor to the Fantasy genre. While these roles are thrilling and often action-packed, they’re a very different kind of film than something squarely in action like Mission Impossible.

Rebecca Ferguson Secretly Replaced Action Movies

She’s Become A Big Name In Science Fiction

Ferguson hasn’t been idle since the release of Dead Reckoning, either. While Dune 2 made a splash with audiences worldwide, the actor has also made waves in the lead role in Apple TV+’s science fiction series Silo. Based on the books of Hugh Howie, Silo has been well-received by critics with Ferguson’s acting called out as one of the highlights. With a second season on the way, the potential for Dune 3 in the future, and her upcoming science fiction film Mercy where she’ll star opposite Chris Pratt, Ferguson is becoming firmly entrenched in the sci-fi genre.

Even her resume before Dead Reckoning points to the rise of this trend. While not every sci-fi film the actor has featured in has been the greatest, Life had its shining moments; a far cry from the less-than-stellar Men In Black: International, possibly one of her worst films to date. With her most stand-out performances in recent years being such big-name projects as Dune and Silo, however, it’s no surprise that those are the first on people’s lips when talking about the actor.

Rebecca Ferguson’s Action Movie Return Can Happen After Mission: Impossible Death

Without Mission Impossible, She’s Free To Do Other Things

Ilsa Faust’s death in Dead Reckoning was shocking, but it’s unsurprising. Given Ferguson’s comments about filming Mission Impossible 7, the character’s exit was inevitable as the franchise became bloated by an increasingly star-studded cast. No single character outside of Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt can shine beyond a few spare moments, making it difficult to feel like that kind of role is worthwhile. And as Ferguson’s star power rises and more leading opportunities are presented to her, it’s clear that she’s made the right choice in moving on.

The right kind of action film could be the perfect vehicle for a talented actor of her caliber. While Ferguson has the chops to replace Cruise at the head of the Mission Impossible franchise once the actor decides to step away, she’d be better served by finding an action vehicle where she could stand on her own well outside of Cruise’s shadow. There’s no sign of a movie like that on the horizon, but Hollywood is sleeping on Rebecca Ferguson in action roles.

Sources: Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning is an action-adventure spy thriller from director Christopher McQuarrie. It’s the seventh entry in the Mission: Impossible series and a direct sequel to Mission: Impossible – Fallout. The title will star Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, and Ving Rhames.

Director

Christopher McQuarrie

Studio(s)

Skydance , TC Productions

Cast

Tom Cruise , Ving Rhames , Simon Pegg , Rebecca Ferguson , Vanessa Kirby , Haley Atwell , Shea Whigham , Pom Klementieff , Esai Morales , Rob Delaney , Henry Czerny , Cary Elwes