For the anniversary of “Jack Reacher,” we chatted with writer/director Christopher McQuarrie. We go deep on the movie, including how “Jack Reacher” and “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” are inexorably linked, why Tom Cruise was a perfect Reacher, and how they constructed the movie’s wordless opening. This episode was originally released in December 2022. You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to pull together the script for the first “Mission: Impossible,” let writer David Koepp walk you through it. Koepp shares screenplay credit with Robert Towne and talks us through the characters’ names, does a killer Brian De Palma impression, discusses Luther’s survival, and gets into the criticism that the movie was too confusing. This episode has it all! This episode was originally released in October 2020. You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s true – we spoke to director Brian De Palma, the filmmaker behind the first “Mission: Impossible” and probably a few of your other favorite movies too. We were celebrating the release of De Palma’s first book with Susan Lehman, “Are Snakes Necessary?” but discuss the making of the first movie, along with his notes for the opening crawl of “Star Wars,” replacing Alan Silvestri with Danny Elfman, and editor Paul Hirsch’s wedding. It’s an epic extravaganza! This episode was originally released in June 2021. You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” supervising sound editor James H. Mather is responsible for all of those incredible sounds in the movie – and we were very lucky to get to talk to him. On this episode we go inside two of the biggest stunts in the movie – the motorcycle jump and the train sequence. Plus so much more. Turn the volume up. You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are joined by James H. Mather, supervising sound editor for “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” to talk about all the fabulous sounds that he and his team packed into the movie. This week we discuss how close our dogs got to being in the movie, the overall design of the sounds and finding the “voice” for the Entity. You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Producer Paula Wagner, who worked on the first three “Mission: Impossible” movies alongside Tom Cruise, joins us for more stories from the franchise. And this week we discuss the sequels – how “M:I-II” came to be, the choice to go with Oliver Stone and eventually John Woo, and the subsequent development of the third movie, which was worked on by everyone from David Fincher to Joe Carnahan. We go deep this week! You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we are joined by Paula Wagner, a producer of the first three “Mission: Impossible” movies. Wagner tells us about forming a company with Tom Cruise, initial attempts at the movie, why they hired Brian De Palma and how they achieved the Langley sequence. Wagner’s role in the franchise cannot be overstated. You do not want to miss this. You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are joined again by the legendary John Woo, director of “Mission: Impossible II.” In this episode, Woo talks about characterization through action, the truth behind the infamous “Woo cut” of the movie and why Woo wanted to direct “Top Gun: Maverick.” Plus, we get great “Face/Off” and “Hard Boiled” stories too. You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We could not be more thrilled to be joined by John Woo, the director of “Mission: Impossible II” (and the current “Silent Night”). Learn what his creative process was like for the sequel, how Woo and Tom Cruise worked together and, yes, we discuss Cruise’s glorious long hair (and where the idea for it came from). You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rarely are unmade versions of “Mission: Impossible” movies discussed, but that’s exactly what we’re doing with David Marconi, who wrote a version of “Mission: Impossible II” for Oliver Stone. His version involved a malevolent A.I. (sound familiar?) and this week we discuss technology, where his involvement in the sequel ended, and what it was like working with Jackie Chan (on “The Foreigner”). Remember to delete your cookies beforehand. You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are joined by writer David Marconi, who penned early drafts of a version of “Mission: Impossible II” being made by director Oliver Stone. That’s right, we’re traveling into the multiverse baby! Learn how Marconi got attached, what his version of the sequel was all about, and what it was like working with Tom Cruise while he shot “Eyes Wide Shut.” Also: find out what elements from his draft made it into other “M:I” movies. You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are joined by Dale Dye, who played Barnes in the first “Mission: Impossible” and was the technical advisor on every major war movie of the past 40 years. This week Dye shares a hilarious story about working with Terrence Malick, talks about the making of “Under Siege” and says that Tom Cruise has “no quit.” Are you up to the challenge? You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready for rush hour! Check out the trailer for "50 MPH", a podcast hosted by our friend Kris Tapley, which is dedicated to the making and legacy of Jan de Bont’s 1994 summer movie blockbuster SPEED. Across 50 episodes, this one-of-a-kind oral history takes you on a breakneck journey from conception to execution, distribution and beyond. Through conversations with actors, executives, filmmakers, film scholars and film fans, 50 MPH will attempt to secure SPEED’s rightful place in the canon of action cinema on the way to celebrating its fast-approaching 30th anniversary in style. Don’t forget to fasten your seatbelts! Listen to the 50 MPH wherever you get your podcasts. Check out the website: https://50mphpodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are joined by Dale Dye, who played Barnes in the first “Mission: Impossible” and was technical advisor for your favorite war movie (seriously, look it up) after serving in Vietnam. This week Dye tells us about working on the first movie, including a number of scenes that you probably didn’t know he was in and how he became a close collaborator of Oliver Stone’s (yes, we ask about Stone’s “Mission: Impossible II”).  You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we are joined by Arthur Anderson, first assistant director for “Mission: Impossible II” and co-producer on “M:I-III.” And we are talking all things “M:I-III.” Anderson was the one who orchestrated the fake film shoot down the street from the Vatican, so we obviously discuss that. Plus learn about the running shot in China and the inside story on “Beverly Hills Cop 3” (just go with it). You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we are joined by Arthur Anderson, first assistant director for “Mission: Impossible II” and co-producer on “M:I-III.” We discuss his collaborative process with director John Woo, how the motorcycle joust came to be and how they pulled off the “knife in the eye” moment with a very willing Tom Cruise. He helped make the impossible possible. You can own “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” on digital and 4K HD, Blu-ray and DVD now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special bonus episode we’re detailing the news about the release of the next “Mission: Impossible” – both a new release date, a possible name change and a premium format window. Plus we discuss some of the special features on the “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” home video release and talk about our feelings on the movie. “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” is available on digital now and will be on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on October 31st. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're once again joined by Eddie Hamilton, Oscar®-nominated editor of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” who discusses the new mythology of the IMF introduced in the new film, where the F-word was almost uttered and, of course, our favorite subject: dogs. It’s a howling good time. "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" is available to buy on digital October 10th and on 4K Ultra HD Disc, Blu-ray and DVD on October 31st. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We continue our chat with Eddie Hamilton, Oscar®-nominated editor of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” who takes us through the process of getting the movie ready for release. We discuss the differences between shooting digitally and on film, whether lenses can convey emotion, and the hardest scene to get right in the new movie. Plus, learn how “Star Wars” informed “MIDRP1.” "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" is available to buy on digital October 10th and on 4K Ultra HD Disc, Blu-ray and DVD on October 31st. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are joined by Eddie Hamilton, editor of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.” We talk about the complexities of the train sequence, Eddie compares the challenges of this film to his Oscar®-nominated work on “Top Gun: Maverick,” and he discusses his relationship with filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie. "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" is available to buy on digital October 10th and on 4K Ultra HD Disc, Blu-ray and DVD on October 31st. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simon Pegg (Benji) returns to the show, this time to go deep on all things “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.” We talk about the airplane sequence (which he equated to “Toy Story 2”), why Steven Spielberg would make a good fit for the franchise (plus how Spielberg hired him for another movie based on “Rogue Nation”) and the Ilsa/Benji relationship. It’s a humdinger! See "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" exclusively in theaters now. "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" is available to buy on digital October 10th and on 4K Ultra HD Disc, Blu-ray and DVD on October 31st. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charles Parnell, who plays the representative from the National Reconnaissance Office in the big sequence with The Community in “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” is here with us this episode. He talks about the key to delivering exposition, working on that sequence and, of course, his role as Warlock in “Top Gun: Maverick.” See "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" exclusively in theaters now. "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" is available to buy on digital October 10th and on 4K Ultra HD Disc, Blu-ray and DVD on October 31st. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York Magazine film critic (one of our favorites!) Bilge Ebiri goes deep on “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” – we talk about the movie’s big stunt, how the finale became the greatest train sequence in the history of cinema and the magic of Vanessa Kirby’s performance (as you-know-who). And we even get into the specialness of “Top Gun: Maverick.”  See "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" exclusively in theaters now. "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" is available to buy on digital October 10th and on 4K Ultra HD Disc, Blu-ray and DVD on October 31st. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York Magazine film critic Bilge Ebiri is one of our favorite critics and journalists. And he’s our guest on this episode! This week we talk about how action cinema has changed since the time of “Mission: Impossible II,” discuss “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” in depth and break down Stanley Kubrick’s approach to characterization. Plus, learn our updated rankings and hear Bilge’s rankings of the movies. "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" is available to buy on digital October 10th and on 4K Ultra HD Disc, Blu-ray and DVD on October 31st. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re taking a breather from best-in-class interviews with the people who bring “Mission: Impossible” to life to give you some biographical background on the both of us as we explore all the reasons why we love the “Mission: Impossible” franchise. It’s a fun one! And remember to see “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One” only in theatres. Catch up on the entire "Mission: Impossible" film series on Paramount+. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” composer Lorne Balfe talks us through his process for both “Fallout” and the new movie, including telling us the differences between the two scores. We also get in depth about the airport and train sequences in “Dead Reckoning Part One” and how closely connected he is to the editing process (very close!). It’ll be music to your ears. See “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One” only in theatres. Catch up on the entire "Mission: Impossible" film series on Paramount+. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode we are joined by Lorne Balfe, composer of “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” and “Dead Reckoning Part One.” Balfe discusses the specific approach he takes with the “M:I” movies (and how it’s different than other movies), plus talks about the more romantic tone of this movie’s score and the drum corps that add that extra zing to the theme music. Are you keeping score? See “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One” only in theatres. Catch up on the entire "Mission: Impossible" film series on Paramount+. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebecca Ferguson has been a staple of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise since “Rogue Nation” and this week we talk with her about her journey with the character – including what it was like being cast and where she finds herself in “Dead Reckoning Part One.” Learn whether or not she thought Ilsa and Ethan (Tom Cruise) had ever been romantic, what it took for her to perfect sword fighting and what tips she took away from Tom as she transitioned to producing her own projects. Plus bonus interviews with Greg Tarzan Davis (31:54) and Hayley Atwell (35:03). See “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One” only in theatres. Catch up on the entire "Mission: Impossible" film series on Paramount+. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Henry Czerny returns to discuss what it was like to return to the character (former IMF director Eugene Kittridge) after more than 25 years, including the differences in working with Tom Cruise and the historic parallels of his characterization. Plus, Jeff Rowe, the co-writer/director of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” joins us to "Light the Ooze." See “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One” only in theatres. Catch up on the entire "Mission: Impossible" film series on Paramount+. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The former director of the IMF, Eugene Kittridge, played by Henry Czerny, captured our imagination in the first "Mission: Impossible" film. Now, he’s back for “Dead Reckoning Part One” and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Henry talks about his acting origins, his similar role in “Clear and Present Danger” and why he thought he’d never be back in the series. Also, we have a bonus interview with Pom Klementieff and Vanessa Kirby from the junket in Rome (in June). See “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One” only in theatres. Catch up on the entire "Mission: Impossible" film series on Paramount+. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The deadly assassin Paris, played by Pom Klementieff in “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” joins us to talk about fight scenes (including her Venice alleyway battle with Tom Cruise) and details just how badly she wanted to join the franchise. That’s not all – we discuss the movie’s most iconic line with Shea Whigham (Briggs), writer/director Christopher McQuarrie and the man himself, Tom Cruise, while attending the world premiere in Rome. This is a good one. See “Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One” ONLY in theatres. Catch up on the entire Mission: Impossible film series on Paramount+. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We go around the world (in conversation) with the cast and crew of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” including Tom Cruise (Ethan Hunt), Christopher McQuarrie (co-writer/director), Greg Tarzan Davis (Degas), Hayley Atwell (Grace), Vanessa Kirby (The White Widow) and Shea Whigham (Briggs) just before the big New York City premiere. Hope you have your passport handy! See “Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One” ONLY in theatres. Catch up on the entire Mission: Impossible film series on Paramount+. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Devoted to her character Grace, Hayley Atwell is one of the strongest additions to “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Part One.” Atwell lets us into the process of creating the character (a thief who becomes embroiled in the mystery), discusses what it was like shooting some of the more harrowing action sequences and teases what is to come. See “Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One” ONLY in theatres. Catch up on the entire Mission: Impossible film series on Paramount+. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re joined by none other than the legendary Simon Pegg, aka Benji Dunn. Pegg sets the record straight on how he joined the franchise, discusses the exciting character development over the series, and drops hints about what's in store for us in "Dead Reckoning Part One." And as a bonus, we’ve got even more from Pegg from the Rome premiere. Legends only. See “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” now playing exclusively in theatres. Catch up on the entire Mission: Impossible film series on Paramount+ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Moments before the Rome world premiere of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”, Tom Cruise (Ethan Hunt) and Christopher McQuarrie (co-writer & director) join us to discuss the highly anticipated film. Hear what was so frustrating about the scene where Tom does close-up magic. Plus, we chat with Shea Whigham (Briggs), Greg Tarzan Davis (Degas), Eddie Hamilton (editor), Esai Morales (Gabriel), and even Henry Czerny, who played Kittridge himself, all from the red carpet. Not bad huh? See “Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One” ONLY in theatres July 12th. Catch up on the entire Mission: Impossible film series on Paramount+. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quick, before this podcast self-destructs! Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to listen to Light the Fuse – The Official Mission: Impossible Podcast. Longtime “Mission: Impossible” obsessives, filmmaker Charles Hood and entertainment journalist Drew Taylor, are taking their passion to the next level. They’ll be sharing anecdote-filled interviews, deep dives into the movies’ heart-racing stunts, and behind-the-scenes revelations, including exclusive interviews with top talent, like Tom Cruise himself. New episodes every Tuesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices