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Good evening, Mr/Ms. Listener. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to join us for the espionage sequel that started the cinematic career of a television director.

The year was 2006, and a sequel to MI2 had spent six years in development hell as a handful of directors had all come and gone, one of which with an entire alternate cast attached. But after an exuberant incident involving a coach, producer/star Tom Cruise was at a crossroads with moviegoers and desperately needed a win. He finally turns to the creator of ABC’s hit spy series ALIAS for a shot at the big leagues. The result is a film that redefines what this franchise can and should be going forward.

The film? MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III. The director? J.J. Abrams. The star? On the back foot. Nick and Scott? Absolutely delighted.

Become a Premier Tier PATREON supporter to hear our “Franchise Potential” companion podcast, plus bonus podcasts each week including Dueling Genre Tonight hosted by Nick!

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Patreon Associate Producer: Matt Bennett & Mark Ybarra