Tom Cruise, 'Mission: Impossible 5,' Action Movie Franchise Continues, Star Confirmed for New Chapter

After the success of the last years Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, rumors have been going around about a fifth installment of the franchise, and now we have a report that confirms the casting of the franchise star Tom Cruise in the next movie. Mission: Impossible 5 is officially in the works and has the superstar lead returning as Ethan Hunt. Also, rumors about Jack Reacher director Christopher McQuarrie coming on to direct M:I 5 have already started. The Jack Reacher sequel is also reportedly in the works.

No other casting news for Mission: Impossible 5 have been announced, but all that the project really needed to get off the ground was Tom Cruise. The 50-year-old actor already surprised us in Ghost Protocol last year, performing most of his stunts despite his age. Even with Jack Reacher and the most recent Cruise film Oblivion, it looks like Tom has no intention to slow down as he gets older.

Whether Ghost Protocol sidekicks Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton and Simon Pegg will return for the next chapter is not known yet, but considering Renner was supposed to "take over" the franchise we could probably consider him on board. Of course anything could happen, really.

 Tom Cruise also recently signed on for the 1960s Cold War spy thriller, The Man from U.N.C.L.E, where he will portray Napolean Solo. This film is a "reboot" of a television of the same name that featured some writing from James Bond creator Ian Fleming. Guy Ritchie is set to direct this movie, which producers hope will turn into another franchise similar to Mission: Impossible.

Are you excited to see Tom Cruise return as Ethan Hunt in a new Mission: Impossible film? Do you think it will top Ghost Protocol? Is fie films too much for the franchise and should Hollywood move onto other projects?

Let us know in the comments section!