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A director has yet to be set, but Paramount Pictures is already pushing a Memorial Day 2011 release date for MISSION IMPOSSIBLE IV, and Tom Cruise is definitely on board reprising his starring role as Ethan Hunt. This puts the fourth installment of the M:I franchise up against the Warner Brothers sequel for THE HANGOVER, and the second weekend of Disney’s PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 4. Apparently the proposed script is by ALIAS writers Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec, who are working off an idea from Tom Cruise and MISSION IMPOSSIBLE III co-writer and director J.J. Abrams. Appelbaum and Nemec previously wrote the American versions of LIFE ON MARS and OCTOBER ROAD for TV, as well as the final three years of ALIAS. They also wrote episodes of FASTLANE and SHE SPIES – both guilty pleasure shows for me. Cruise and Abrams are co-producing the 4th outing, however Abrams is not directing. Shame too, since he’s on everyone’s favorite list after breathing new life into the STAR TREK franchise in 2009. This is also interesting news, since Paramount dumped Tom Cruise four years ago based on his erratic behavior.
Paramount Chairman and CEO Brad Grey was quoted to say “Tom and J.J. are great talents and we’re excited to be working with them to re-launch this legendary franchise.” I am actually pretty happy to hear this. I loved M:I 3, even if it was like ALIAS: THE MOVIE. If this next outing is more of the same, I’m on board with it. I’ve always said, no matter what you think about Tom Cruise, the man gives 110% with every role, and I actually kind of like the Ethan Hunt character. My only hope is that they keep the “team” aspect exhibited in the 3rd film, which is sadly lacking in the first and second outings. Let’s hope it’s good.
Source: Variety and AintItCool
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
