Explosive Clash: Tom Cruise's Furious Outburst Triggers IMAX's Official Reaction on Mission: Impossible 7/Oppenheimer Conflict

IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond has discussed Tom Cruise's frustration regarding Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One being removed from IMAX screens after just one week, due to the release of Oppenheimer. Both highly-anticipated films are set to debut in mid-July, with Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One hitting theaters on July 12 and Oppenheimer arriving on July 21. Previously, it was reported that Cruise was upset that Oppenheimer would occupy all IMAX screens in the US for three weeks, leaving his latest Mission: Impossible installment without a presence on IMAX after just one week of release.

In an interview with Variety, Gelfond addressed Cruise's dissatisfaction over the limited run of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One on IMAX screens due to Oppenheimer. The IMAX CEO expressed his hope that Cruise's film can eventually return to IMAX once Oppenheimer completes its theatrical run. Read Gelfond's complete statement below:

"I am disappointed that we are unable to accommodate all of them. The upcoming film 'Mission: Impossible' is expected to be a tremendous success. Christopher Nolan holds a special place in Imax's heart due to his utilization of our cameras and his support for our brand. This decision is not driven by financial considerations alone. Once 'Oppenheimer' completes its run, I hope we can reintroduce 'Mission' to our lineup."

A Major Box Office Battle Is Slated For July

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One is expected to have a strong performance at the box office as it marks the beginning of Tom Cruise's final mission as IMF agent Ethan Hunt. Additionally, the inclusion of IMAX screens could greatly benefit Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan's biopic, by providing numerous screenings. Despite Cruise's focus on Oppenheimer, it is worth noting that Barbie is also set to release on the same day and is anticipated to garner a similar level of popularity.

Barbie is expected to outperform Oppenheimer on its opening weekend, despite Oppenheimer's extensive IMAX screen presence. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One, with its $290 million budget, will need to generate significant profits to justify its investment, especially when compared to Oppenheimer and Barbie, which have budgets of $100 million each.

Although Cruise may be frustrated with Oppenheimer, Gelfond assures that Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One will still have a place on IMAX screens once Oppenheimer finishes its run. This may not be the ideal scenario for Cruise, but it does mean that the latest Mission: Impossible installment could return to IMAX screens three weeks after Oppenheimer's release. Regardless, Cruise's anger is likely to fuel comparisons between Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One and Oppenheimer at the box office when both films hit theaters next month.

Source: Variety