McQuarrie Considered De-Aging Julia Roberts for 'Mission: Impossible' Flashbacks But Deemed Too Costly

Director Christopher McQuarrie originally wanted to cast Julia Roberts as Ethan Hunt's 1989 lover in flashback scenes for 'Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One'.
The extensive use of de-aging VFX on both Tom Cruise and Roberts proved to be too distracting and expensive for the production.
The flashback scenes were simplified, focusing on Mariela Garriga's character instead of showing Cruise and Roberts' faces.
The flashbacks provide glimpses into Ethan Hunt's life before joining IMF and reveal how he was framed for a woman's death.
While considered, McQuarrie ultimately decided against featuring familiar, de-aged actors like Roberts extensively throughout the movie.