Published: February 10, 2010

Tom Cruise Ready For New Mission

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Tom Cruise will star in 'Mission: Impossible IV'.

The actor has confirmed he will reprise his role as Impossible Mission Force agent Ethan Hawke in the action movie series, and will also co-produce the project.

'Lost' creator J.J. Abrams - who directed 'Mission: Impossible III' - will also co-produce, and he and Tom are currently looking for a director.

Brad Grey - an executive at Paramount Studios, who are making the film - said: "Tom and J.J. are great talents and we are excited to be working with them to re-launch this legendary franchise."

Tom Cruise ready for new Mission

The script for the film will be written by Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec, based on an idea developed by Tom and J.J. - and the studio has set an ambitious initial release date of May 2011.

Paramount initially terminated Tom's contract with them after 'Mission: Impossible III' in 2006, which had an underwhelming run at the box office, despite Tom being paid up to a rumoured $80 million for the film.

They cited his off-screen behaviour as the result of ending the contract - after he made a now notorious appearance on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' during which he jumped on a sofa to explain his love for wife-to-be Katie Holmes.

The 'Mission: Impossible' franchise has grossed more than $1.4 billion globally.