Tom Cruise Signs On For "Mission Impossible 4"

Tom Cruise has reportedly accepted the mission of a fourth installment. Cruise will co-produce "Mission Impossible 4" along with J.J. Abrams, each signing on with Paramount Pictures, according to Variety. Whether he will take the starring role once more is uncertain. The success Abrams' had recently using an all new cast in his remake of "Star Trek," which has grossed $335 million so far, has left Cruise, 46, thinking about letting him do the same with "Mission Impossible," according to Parade. However, rumors have circulated that the idea of a new, younger lead man came from the higher ups in Paramount, disappointed after "MI:3" dropped off at the box office from the previous two.

The first three films in the franchise grossed $452 million, $545 million, and $395 million respectively. Tensions between Viacom's Sumner Redstone, Viacom's majority shareholder, and Cruise over the whole, jumping on Oprah's couch incident, in addition to others, led Paramount to end their 14-year relationship with the controversial actor.

As a result, the action star became the chief of United Artists where he is more involved with the production side of things.

Redstone, however, has made attempts to reconcile with Cruise recently. Whether Cruise will star, or even act in the film, or whether Abrams will direct as he did in "MI:3" remains up in the air.

While the franchise is strong, much of the draw has been due to those films leading man, who has become a veritable Hollywood cash cow for directors. The film's release is expected sometime in 2011 and is sure to have fast-paced action sequences and big explosions. Whether Cruise will be running from the burning building or setting it on fire for a new guy behind the scenes remains to be seen.