Hayley Atwell believes that putting the film saga Mission Impossible and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) on a scale is like comparing apples to pears.
The British actress is certainly very familiar with both multi-billion dollar franchises. On the one hand, she shares credits with Tom Cruise in the recently released film Mission Impossible 7: Deadly Judgment – Part 1, and on the other hand, boasts six MCU movies on his resume, mostly in the role of Peggy Carter, SHIELD agent and love interest of Steve Rogers / Captain America; in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness she played a superheroic alternate version of the original character: Captain Carter.
In interview with Variety, Atwell specified that there is no point of comparison between both intellectual properties. Yes, they happen to be “global phenomena” who regularly dominate the box office and boast countless fans. However, in his opinion, the MCU and Mission Impossible they diverge wildly with respect to the team of creatives each brings together and the stories each tells.
“They are so different: a different group of filmmakers, different tastes, different characters, different worlds. It just so happens that these are things that have become global phenomena,” said the Londoner.
However, the histrion acknowledges that her time at Marvel helped her hit the nail on the head with the character of Grace, which she plays in the seventh installment of Mission Impossible. Atwell herself built the role from scratch together with Tom Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie, with a view to endowing it with particularities that transcend any stereotype.
“What I tried to do with Peggy—and I think that’s why I got the part in Mission—was not playing her like she was in a superhero movie. And with Grace, I don’t play her like she’s in an action movie,” she emphasized. “Peggy taught me that I can have a distinctive foundation in a character that she’s going to stand out from, instead of being consumed by the machine of something.”
You might also be interested in: Does Mission Impossible 7: Deadly Judgment have post credits scenes?
Now, apart from Hayley Atwell, we must not forget that the leading actor of Mission Impossible has some history with Marvel. Much has been rumored that Tom Cruise was considered to play Tony Stark in the film. Hombre de Hierro (2008). However, years ago, the actor commented to Phase Zero that he actually “never came close” to getting that role, plus he couldn’t imagine anyone better than Robert Downey Jr. in the shoes of the Avenger.
On the other hand, at that time he hinted that he would not rule out being part of an MCU movie. It all depends on the project. “It’s about what the story is, what the character is, if I’m interested, if I feel like it’s something the audience wants to see me in, what can I learn and what can I contribute,” he remarked.
Mission Impossible 7: Deadly Judgment – Part 1 It is exhibited from this Thursday, July 13 in Mexican theaters. Do you already have your tickets?
Antonio G. Spindola I have very bad memory. Out of solidarity with my memories, I choose to lose myself too. Preferably in a movie theater.