Hopefully both films still make their release dates...
Shooting a movie trilogy or even two sequels in one block is an ambitious enough undertaking. When it comes to action blockbusters (and shooting in a pandemic), it's an even greater challenge.
Thus, the fact that 'Mission: Impossible 7' is no longer filming back-to-back with the next installment in the franchise, shouldn't come as too great a surprise.
The shoot has been hit with various issues since kicking off.
Cameras were meant to start rolling in Venice and Rome back in February to March 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic caused productions to halt.
There was some filming in the UK last July, and in Norway last autumn.
Then production stalled in Italy after a dozen people on set tested positive for COVID-19.
A motorike stunt accident also caused delays.
There was also the leaked audio of star of the franchise Tom Cruise absolutely losing it on set. (Not that it excuses it, but with all those issues arising, you can only imagine how tense the guy must have been...)
This isn't the only project Cruise is attached to star in this year.
He'll also be reprising his iconic role of Maverick in the 'Top Gun' follow-up (also from Paramount).
Since he'll be on promo duties for the sequel's release (which is, optimistically, July 2nd), the decision was made to leave 'Mission: Impossible 8' alone, for now.
According to Deadline, production for it will commence after 'Top Gun: Maverick' has hit cinemas.
So in any case, there isn't a major delay in production.
Hopes are that 'MI:8' will still hit its release date of November 4, 2022.
'Mission: Impossible 7' is set to hit cinemas on November 19, 2021.