Mission Impossible Gets Fourth Movie

It was only four years ago that Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone vowed that Tom Cruise would “never work” with Paramount Pictures again. Well, never say never. Paramount announced its plans this week to release a fourth in the Mission Impossible saga.  While I think they are highly overestimating the interest of fans, Paramount has seen fit to revive the Ethan Hunt franchise, and they’re willing to set aside their differences with estranged former partner Tom Cruise in order to do it.

Cruise will team up with J.J. Abrams, who directed “M.I. 3,” to co-produce the film.  Given the current reboot trend one might expect a fresher face to star in the picture, but Deadline Hollywood insists Tom Cruise will reprise the role of Ethan Hunt as the lead character.

Josh Applebaum and Andre Nemec will make up the screenwriting team, and they’ll base their script on an original story dreamed up by Cruise and Abrams.

The studio expects a Memorial Day 2011 release date.  The Chairman of Paramount Studios Brad Grey had this to say: “Tom and J.J. are great talents and we are excited to be working with them to re-launch this legendary franchise.”