Action, Mission Impossible | featured news

Brad Bird is one of several directors, including Ruben Fleischer and Edgar Wright, rumored to be on the shortlist to step in for 'Mission: Impossible 4."

Paramount Pictures announced Tuesday that Cruise will be back in front of the camera for "Mission: Impossible IV," due in theaters over Memorial Day weekend in 2011. Cruise and "Mission: Impossible III" director J.J. Abrams previously agreed to produce a fourth movie in the action franchise. But it had not been known if Cruise would star again.

MTV recently asked genre-specialist extraordinaire J.J. Abrams about Tom Cruise's involvement in the upcoming "Mission: Impossible 4." Here's what Abrams said:
"The goal would be for that to occur," Abrams said, skirting around actually mentioning anyone or anything by name. So Josh pressed him a little."If I say the words though-- I've seen what you do," the "Star Trek" director said with a smile. "You warp and twist, you make me say things that just break me down." Turning serious again, Abrams acquiesced.