Exclusive: Shocking Reveal! Mission: Impossible 7's Missing Character's Epic Comeback Confirmed for Part 2

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One director Christopher McQuarrie discloses that Angela Bassett's character, Erika Sloane, was initially intended to appear in the film. He also hints at the possibility of her return in Part Two. Following the success of Mission: Impossible – Fallout in 2018, this new installment of the action franchise stars Tom Cruise reprising his role as superspy Ethan Hunt on a perilous mission. While many familiar faces are returning for the sequel, Bassett's CIA Director will not be among them. Prior to the release of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, McQuarrie unveils this information in an interview with Variety.

Though not featured in the new film due to COVID-19's effect on production, the director suggests in the above clip that audiences can anticipate her comeback in future installments. Read McQuarrie's complete statement below:

"It's intriguing, she was originally planned to be the CIA's leader, positioned alongside other top intelligence officials that you encounter. But our association with Angela Bassett doesn't end there. Angela's brilliance cannot be overlooked. We will always have a roadmap for her ahead."

Why Angela Bassett's Mission: Impossible – Fallout Character Should Return

Mission: Impossible – Fallout is widely considered one of the franchise's finest entries, with its awe-inspiring action sequences surpassing anything seen in previous films. Bassett, a highly talented actor in Hollywood today, made a great addition as Sloane, a somewhat minor antagonist who attempts to limit Hunt's unconventional methods. However, one criticism of Mission: Impossible – Fallout is that Bassett's character feels somewhat neglected.

With the exception of a few short scenes, Bassett doesn't really have the opportunity to shine in the film. Her character essentially serves the same purpose as Kittridge in the original Mission: Impossible or Brassel in Mission: Impossible 3, played by Henry Czerny and Laurence Fishburne respectively. However, Kittridge has a more prominent role in the first movie's storyline and even makes a return in the latest installment to further develop his character. It would be beneficial for Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two to bring Bassett back and provide further depth to her character.

With Kittridge's return, it appears that he is once again embodying the bureaucratic government system that Hunt and his team don't quite agree with. Sloane could serve as an intriguing counterpart to Czerny, as they may either unite on matters concerning Hunt or each individually pursue their own objectives. This would add further complexity to the upcoming mission following Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.