M.I. III's Abrams: Cruise Isn't Crazy!

In a year where he told off Today's Matt Lauer, got engaged (and swiftly became a father-to-be for the first time) and jumped on Oprah's couch, Tom Cruise may have earned the label of crazy.

But one man isn't buying it. That's J. J. Abrams, the director of "Mission: Impossible III," which finished filming late last year with Cruise attached to star.

Abrams, who also wrote the sequel that is positioned to become a major blockbuster next summer and is scheduled to open May 5, described Cruise at a recent science-fiction convention in San Francisco as "the most focused and professional and 'on-it' guy" and said he was a pleasure to work with in front of the camera and in Cruise's role as one of the producers.

Abrams says he hopes fans will be able to look past his tabloid-fodder personal life in this project as in any other project.

This is Abrams' first feature film in the director's chair, although he's written for movies as diverse as "Armageddon" and "Joy Ride." He's best known as the executive producer for the Jennifer Garner spy drama "Alias" and the shipwreck suspense serial "LOST."