Mission Impossible
Chiabella James filming Mission Impossible

The pandemic and lockdown brought on COVID-19 has had many effects on the movie industry. One effect is months-long delays of movies. If they’re originally scheduled for the summer, now they’ve been pushed back. Another is the delay of movies scheduled to begin filming. Shooting for Mission Impossible 7 in Italy was put on hold back in April. This was due to the rise of the virus. Originally scheduled to release in July of 2021 the movie was pushed back to November 2021. Mission Impossible 8 was pushed back from August 2022 to November 2022.

With the pandemic now being brought under control countries hit hardest are beginning to lift the restrictions that prevented filming. After a seven-month-long delay; the film will now be able to resume filming in September. When asked first assistant director Tommy Gormley told BBC:

“We hope to start shooting again in September,”

Tommy Gormley to BBC on filming Mission Impossible (via Deadline)

Restrictions Still in Place for Mission Impossible

Gormley went on to say they hope to shot in all the countries they originally intended. This statement is in reference to the fact that the UK has created new guidelines for film and television production. Gormely estimates filming will last from September to April/May 2021. This allows the film three to four months to finish post-production. Simon Pegg also told Variety that they:

“will begin with the outdoor stuff. That feels fairly doable, and obviously there will be precautions put in place.”

https://variety.com/2020/film/news/mission-impossible-7-restart-production-tom-cruise-1234622939/

Production delays have affected the movie greatly. Recently Esai Morales replaced Nicholas Hoult as the movie’s villain due to scheduling conflicts forcing Hoult to drop out. How much of an impact, if any, this will have on the movie is unclear. For now, it seems Mission Impossible 7‘s biggest obstacle has finally been overcome.