While Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One was a smash hit at the box office and among fans, there was one character missing from the movie.

It was first reported that Angela Bassett would return in the role of Erika Sloane in 2020, however, the COVID-19 pandemic nixed her involvement.

Now, director Christopher McQuarrie opened up about Angela‘s absence, and whether she could return in future movies in the franchise.

Keep reading to find out more…

“I can’t tease anything about Mission: Impossible 7 except that COVID took me out, or kept me out, how about that [laughs],” Angela told Collider, but added that she hopes to have something “to tease when [Mission: Impossible 8] that comes along.”

In a recent chat with Variety, Christopher addressed her absence, and echoed what Angela said about her involvement in the next installment.

“It was interesting. She was going to be the head of the CIA, she would’ve been in that room with all the other heads of the intelligence community that you meet,” he shared.

He then added that they’re “not done with Angela Bassett – Angela is too fabulous, you could never ever let Angela get away, so there’s always a plan in the future…”

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One is out in theaters now.

Speaking of Angela, she’s going to get her first Oscar!