10 Unbelievable Mission Impossible Facts

2015 was a big year for the spy genre, with over ten films being released in the genre, all with varying levels of success. Two films that highlight the discrepancy in this success are Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. The former was a critical and commercial success, continuing the franchise's upward trend and the latter but a box office misfire and potential cult-classic.

However, both films share elements in common beyond being released in 2015 and being based on television properties from the 60s: Tom Cruise would have starred in both films if it were not for scheduling conflicts. Cruise was in talks to star in the film in early 2013 but had to bow out due to his commitment to filming and producing Rogue Nation.

He was replaced by Superman actor and bookies' Bond favourite, Henry Cavill, who brought a steely presence to the role that would have differed from Cruise's possibly more intense take. Coincidentally enough, Cavill later starred in the next M:I installment as the anarchist CIA agent, August Walker.