Tom Cruise has been entertaining moviegoers for over three decades with his Mission Impossible franchise, amongst his long, illustrious resume. The release of Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning is said to be the final installment of his saga, but no final word has been given on whether or not the studio has plans for future films. This has brought up a very interesting debate: who has what it takes to fill Cruise’s shoes as the next big movie star? The actor recently turned 63, so it’s safe to say he will soon be passing the torch to the next guy, but who could that be?
While there are so many talented actors who could play any of Cruise’s roles, it takes someone with that special can to don the label of movie star. They have to be able to do it all: willing to perform their own stunts, dabble in every genre and do it well, have the look, and be charismatic all while staying out of trouble in the public eye (Cruise’s personal religious views have been a topic, but have stayed out of his professional life). Let’s take a look at 5 Black actors who have what it takes to be the next big movie star.
John David Washington
John David Washington has a movie star embedded in his DNA, so he was destined to be on our list. The son of Academy Award-winning Denzel Washington and his wife, Pauletta, the 41-year-old actor proved he can stand on his own when he gave knockout performances in films like BlacKkKlansman, Malcolm & Marie, and The Piano Lesson. Washington stepped into a different league when he was cast as the lead in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, as this was the first Blockbuster film to release in theaters following the COVID shutdown. The film managed to still pull a crowd, introducing a wider audience to his acting skills and his ability to lead an action flick. There’s no doubt he could fill big shoes, when that’s silently being asked of him by society solely by being the son of one of the greatest actors of all time. Washington has all the ingredients to be a movie star; it’s only going to take another big role to showcase that to the world.
Michael B. Jordan
At 38 years old, Michael B. Jordan has made quite a name for himself since his earlier days on The Wire. Aside from just acting, he has solidified himself as a director, too, with Creed III doing numbers and his rendition of The Thomas Crown Affair on the way in 2027. Jordan is extremely likable, has already shown his versatility, and has proven capable of being a leading man. He would be a great pick to fill Cruise’s shoes, as some have speculated he might be in talks to take over in the MI films after they both showed support for each other’s films. Jordan has the physique to be an action star, as he is always in shape and has shown that in projects like Without Remorse, the Creed trilogy, Black Panther, and Sinners. While some may argue he is already quite the movie star, being on Cruise’s level means stepping up to bigger roles, and there’s no doubt in our mind he is sure to have more on the way to him.
Aaron Pierre
Of all the names on the list, Aaron Pierre is the newest and likely heading in the right direction. Since his breakout role in Netflix’s Rebel Ridge last year, fans have been borderline obsessed and eager to see him on screen more. He sort of popped up out of nowhere and gained traction primarily for his good looks, but the man is a solid actor as well. He is currently filming as John Stewart for DC’s Green Lantern series, which has the potential to be a hit if James Gunn’s Superman performance is any indication of the studio’s new direction. We’ve seen him in action and voice acting in Mufasa and starring in dramas like Brother, but now we have to see how he will do in thrillers and rom-coms to test his versatility.
Regé-Jean Page
Since his Bridgerton days, Regé-Jean Page has been a fan favorite that audiences have craved to see more of. Unfortunately, he hasn’t had that big role that kills at the box office. He was great in The Grey Man and Black Bag, but not enough to make him a household name. Regardless, he has the talent to become the next big movie star, and there’s no doubt about that. Much like Aaron Pierre, people fell in love with him instantly when he burst on the scene, and they deserve to see him in more titles. I genuinely believe a starring role in a major franchise like a Marvel project or perhaps a Star Wars installment might give him that boost in visibility. His charisma, good looks, and range are enough to carry him to the top of the A-List. His name has already been thrown around for the next James Bond films, so it’s clear he’s catching the right eyes.
John Boyega
Starring in films like Pacific Rim: Uprising and 3 Star Wars films, John Boyega rose to fame quickly, as being attached to a franchise has the potential to do. His acting abilities put him on the map, as there weren’t Black male actors making it into these bigger projects at the time. Boyega is only 33 years old, leaving lots of room for growth and space for him to take on leading roles. He’s one of those actors whose performances make you think to yourself, he’s going to win an Oscar one day. He delivers his lines like a young Denzel, which is not something thrown around often. He, just like the other men on this list, is in need of a few good roles to really showcase to the world that he can dominate the way Cruise has done in his prime.
