Tom Cruise Signs On for 'Mission: Impossible 5'

In what should come as no surprise considering the last film made near $700 million worldwide, Tom Cruise has agreed to both star in and produce Mission: Impossible 5.  Both Paramount Pictures and Skydance Productions confirmed today that the still most-bankable actor in Hollywood has agreed for a 5th go-around as Ethan Hunt.

The real question though is who will write and direct.

Word is Jack Reacher writer & director Christopher McQuarrie is the favorite to land the gig; however, news just came out today as well that he has signed on to handle the remake of the 1968 film, Ice Station Zebra, which might affect his candidacy for M:I 5.

Cruise - on the other hand - is coming off the very underrated Oblivion (which has made well over $200 million now globally) and just finished up next year's sci-fi actioner, All You Need is Kill (do you know if that film hits $200 million worldwide as well, it will be Cruise's 20th straight starring film to reach that mark?  Greatest movie star of all-time, period.)

As far as the Mission: Impossible franchise, the most recent entry - Ghost Protocol, directed by Brad Bird - was both a commercial and critical success so it will be a huge challenge to top for whomever sign on to helm the next one.

It should also be noted that JJ Abrams - who directed the 3rd Mission: Impossible as well as produce the 4th with his production company, Bad Robot - will take on the same executive duties this time too which can also be seen as nothing but good news.

Expect more on this project shortly as the announcement for the writer/director of M:I 5 is seemingly imminent.

Source: Deadline