Although the Mission: Impossible movies today are famous for Tom Cruise’s action-packed stunts and the creation of new characters like Benji and Ilsa Faust, they actually originated from an old television show in the 1960s. While the first movie did feature a character from the original series, subsequent films have focused more on creating their own unique characters rather than sticking closely to the TV show’s cast. However, it’s important to remember that every Mission: Impossible film is connected to the CBS television show of the same name, which ran from 1966 to 1973.
If Brian de Palma’s original casting plans had been carried out for this film, it would have included a cast member from that series, altering the course, consistency, and popular understanding of the Mission: Impossible franchise significantly and permanently.
Who Was Jim Phelps in 1996’s Mission: Impossible?
In the 1996 version of “Mission: Impossible,” although many characters were freshly minted, Jim Phelps, the original leader of Ethan Hunt’s IMF team, was most certainly not a new creation. In fact, he was so integral to the original series that he made a comeback in the 1980s TV reboot. Peter Graves, who brought Phelps to life, infused him with unique traits like the knack for assuming any alias the IMF required. As an affectionate and authoritative IMF director, Phelps became a beloved figure among fans, leaving a lasting impact that remains one of the most enduring elements of the franchise’s pre-1996 era.
In the movie adaptation, Jon Voight, a renowned film actor, played Phelps, emphasizing the transition of this series to the big screen. Right from the start, Phelps was portrayed as a wise and trustworthy figure, serving as Hunt’s mentor. His character appears to meet an unexpected end when he, along with other IMF team members, is brutally killed during a mission that goes awry. This death is intended to create a sense of unease among viewers, suggesting that even someone as esteemed as Jon Voight could fall victim to these malevolent forces.
In due course, it’s unveiled that Phelps is the primary antagonist in the Mission: Impossible series. He orchestrated numerous malicious acts, including the termination of IMF agents. The climax of Mission: Impossible sees Ethan Hunt racing against time to prevent Phelps, culminating in his demise within a train tunnel. In true Ethan Hunt fashion, the student surpasses the master and saves the world, all within the last few minutes.
The unexpected twist in this storyline was designed to keep viewers guessing, challenge assumptions, and draw audiences deeper into the evolving personalities within the Mission: Impossible universe. Essentially, Hunt and his companions were our heroes, while Graves embodied villainy and didn’t make it past this installment for possible future chapters. This storyline signified the transition to a new era of characters. Had plans to resurrect Peter Graves as Phelps been implemented, the handover could have taken on even more intriguing twists.
Why Didn’t Peter Graves Come Back as Phelps?
Since Peter Graves skillfully played the character of Phelps in the 1980s adaptation of Mission: Impossible, it’s evident that the actor was comfortable with revisiting this significant role throughout his career. Yet, despite potential lucrative offers or a boost from the brand name, Graves firmly declined the opportunity to continue the Mission: Impossible franchise on the big screen. Graves had no interest in portraying an evil Phelps, considering it a disrespectful alteration of this cherished character. Ultimately, he chose not to participate due to this perceived desecration.
It’s not unusual to find Graves expressing reservations about a drastically different interpretation of Jim Phelps. What’s truly mind-boggling is that the Mission: Impossible movie franchise almost started with such a direct link to the original TV series. This wasn’t just using the same character name from the old CBS program, but the initial plan was to literally reintroduce the same Phelps from previous Mission: Impossible media. It’s hard to imagine how the two versions of Mission: Impossible could have intertwined if this casting had occurred. For instance, Mission: Impossible 2 might have taken on a Spider-Man: No Way Home-like approach for the Mission: Impossible films, bringing back actors who played IMF agents from the ’60s and ’80s.
In the minds of “Mission: Impossible” enthusiasts, such situations will remain forever. The dedication shown by Graves to preserve the authenticity of Jim Phelps ensured that the “Mission: Impossible” movies and series were distinct from the original right from the start. What kept the first film from offering a taste of fan-service also fortified the self-sufficiency of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, setting it apart from the TV show on CBS that inspired it.
Mission: Impossible is now streaming on Paramount+
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2025-03-09 07:40