This comes from Moviehole...
When it was first announced that JJ Abrams would be producing ''Mission : Impossible 4'' alongside series star Tom Cruise, there were a few lingering questions : Will Cruise be in the film, or will someone else (Brad Pitt was once mentioned as a possibility) be charged the task of completing an impossible mission this time round? Will Abrams direct as well as round up the cash? Will the film be a sequel, prequel or - as was often rumored - a spin-off?
Good news is, Cruise will be back as Ethan Hunt - and for the duration of the film.
Bad news is, Abrams is too busy with Starfleet to direct the new film.
“Tom and J.J. are great talents and we are excited to be working with them to re-launch this legendary franchise,” said Paramount Pictures Chairman & CEO Brad Grey.
Screenwriters Josh Applebaum and Andre Nemec are attached to write the script, from an original idea by Cruise and Abrams, Paramount tells us.
Said to be Cruise's next flick, ''M:I 4'' is shooting this year for a Memorial Day 2011 release.