Rolf Saxon reprises his iconic role in an action-packed franchise finale that brings his character full circle.

Rolf Saxon is back as William Donloe after 30 years!

The CIA analyst who got duped by Ethan Hunt in 1996 returns in “The Final Reckoning” with a twist.

His character got shipped off to Alaska after Hunt swiped those classified docs, and now he’s part of the action again when you least expect it.

“Is This a Joke?” – The Surprising Call

Saxon couldn’t believe it was real when his agent mentioned the opportunity.

“Some European film company wants you,” they said, and he immediately smelled a prank.

When Skydance and McQuarrie’s names popped up, he was convinced his buddy was pulling his leg.

The online address looked legit, but c’mon—after three decades? No way this was happening!

From Disbelief to Reality

“I’m gonna owe him big time for this,” Saxon thought about his prankster friend. Then McQuarrie himself appeared on camera, and Saxon’s jaw dropped.

This was actually happening! But don’t call it a comeback—Saxon doesn’t see it as some grand return.

“It’s wonderful coming back but it’s not like a triumphant return,” he admits with refreshing honesty.

Same Guy, 30 Years Later

Working with McQuarrie, they decided Donloe hadn’t changed fundamentally. He’s just older with different circumstances now.

“He is who he was,” Saxon explains, keeping the character’s core intact while acknowledging how time shifts everything.

This approach makes his return feel natural rather than forced, letting the character breathe in new ways.

Finally Getting Some Action

For the first time, Saxon got to join the famous MI action sequences.

“It was fantastic,” he gushes, clearly thrilled to be part of the high-octane stunts.

Being in the middle of those incredible set pieces proved even more exciting than watching them.

The hands-on experience gave him a whole new appreciation for the franchise’s signature thrills.

Tom Cruise: The Stunt Machine

Saxon can’t contain his amazement at Cruise’s dedication. “He is an extraordinary human—100% focused,” he marvels, especially about those insane motorcycle stunts.

Seeing them without CGI left Saxon speechless. “I wouldn’t train for it let alone do it,” he confesses, highlighting just how committed Cruise remains to authentic action even after all these years.

The Epic Conclusion

Having seen the film twice already, Saxon promises fans they’re in for a treat.

“It’s a lot of fun, it really is…it’s epic,” he says about this eighth installment.

“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” brings together threads from seven previous films, creating what Saxon describes as the perfect culmination of this beloved action franchise.