Rolf Saxon Makes Epic Return to ‘Mission: Impossible’ After Nearly 30 Years

Veteran actor Rolf Saxon makes a powerful return to the ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise with ‘The Final Reckoning’, nearly three decades after first stepping into the role of William Donloe in the 1996 original. At 70, Saxon reprises his character in a pivotal moment that reconnects long-time fans with the franchise’s roots.

In the original film, Rolf Saxon briefly appeared as CIA analyst William Donloe, guarding the CIA’s most classified information before Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt pulls off one of cinema’s most iconic heists. While his screen time was minimal, his character’s fate intrigued audiences, leading to a surprising and meaningful comeback in the latest instalment.

According to Rolf Saxon, his return began with a call in early 2022, inviting him to audition for what was initially described as a European film. Sceptical but curious, he agreed to a Zoom meeting. It was only when director Christopher McQuarrie appeared onscreen that he realised this was no prank—it was a genuine invite back to the ‘Mission: Impossible’ universe by none other than Tom Cruise and the franchise’s creative team.

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In ‘The Final Reckoning’, Rolf Saxon's character has been exiled to a remote CIA outpost on St. Matthew Island in the Bering Sea, a punishment following the breach of security depicted in the original film. When Ethan Hunt and his team—played by Simon Pegg, Hayley Atwell, Greg Tarzan Davis, and Pom Klementieff—arrive at the station, Donloe becomes an unexpected piece in their mission to recover a sunken Russian submarine.

Despite the years apart, Rolf Saxon describes his reunion with Cruise on set as warm and celebratory, with Cruise greeting him with a big hug and the crew offering a cheer. He reflected on their early collaboration, noting Cruise’s unwavering dedication and energy, both then and now.

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As one of the few original cast members to return to the franchise's recent plot, Rolf Saxon now joins Henry Czerny, who made a comeback as Eugene Kittridge in Dead Reckoning. For Cruise and McQuarrie, continuity and character development remain central to the story. Cruise has said that he values working with actors he trusts and respects, always putting the story first.

‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ is showing at full speed in theatres. 

–Farheen Ali