The director of the latest Mission: Impossible film, Christopher McQuarrie, had initially planned for a cameo appearance by Julia Roberts. However, he ultimately decided against it, citing concerns over the scene being too distracting and expensive. McQuarrie had envisioned a prologue scene set in 1989 and intended to use AI technology to de-age Tom Cruise. In addition to de-aging two stars, the scene would have also featured Esai Morales and Henry Czerny. The cost of de-aging multiple actors proved to be exorbitant, and McQuarrie realized that it would overshadow the scene itself. De-aging technology has been used in various films and shows, including The Irishman and The Mandalorian. The use of AI in Hollywood has become a contentious topic amidst the ongoing actors’ strike, with the union urging studios to ensure that real actors are not replaced by computer-generated faces. While Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One is currently in theaters, other productions have been put on hold due to the strike, causing delays in filming.
