Will Rebecca Ferguson's Ilsa Faust return in Mission: Impossible 8?

Judging by Rebecca Ferguson's recent comments, it is unlikely we will see her return as Ilsa Faust in the next Mission: Impossible movie.

In Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One, there is a flashback sequence in which we see a young Ethan Hunt trying to save a woman who has been shot by villain Gabriel, who in the present day represents a major threat against humanity - a hostile Artificial Intelligence known as 'The Entity'. 

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Before the final act of Part One, Gabriel murders Faust on a bridge in Venice. It was a key emotional moment that made Ethan's pursuit of Gabriel even more personal.

Ilsa was introduced in Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, where she towed the line between protagonist and antagonist.

Addressing her departure from the series, Ferguson suggested she was unhappy that Ilsa was simply becoming another member of the team as the series progressed.

"Do you remember when we talked about those three-picture deals in Hollywood? So sometimes they end and actors have the possibility of saying yes or no so we were at that point," she said in a conversation with Entertainment Tonight.

"Mission is such a huge dedication... and I've done it and it's fantastic and it's amazing, and McQ (director Christopher McQuarrie) and Tom (Cruise) wrote this incredible character. I want her to go rogue. I'm interested in the dark side, I don't want a team member, it's not interesting for me. And I felt maybe that's where we were heading."

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Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

Ethan Hunt is back. The days when he fought for the common good seem to be over. In addition, he must choose a side with regard to international espionage. An opportunity to determine what is or is not true, what is right or wrong..

Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie
Stars: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell and Esai Morales

Mission: Impossible time commitments

While the rest of her former castmates are busy filming Mission: Impossible 8, Ferguson has made two movies and a television series, so she might not be up for the time commitment to another espionage adventure.

"It is blood, sweat and tears doing those films," she continued.

"By now, I've done a TV show and two movies, they're still on Mission."

However, when asked if Ilsa could actually return, she responded:

"But that's the thing, you never know, right?"