Friday, August 27, 2010

Jeremy Renner To Star In 'Mission: Impossible IV'

From "The Hurt Locker" to Hawkeye in "The Avengers" to a role opposite superspy Ethan Hunt, Jeremy Renner's career is on the rise, as Paramount announced Thursday (August 26) that the Oscar-nominated actor will appear as an operative alongside Tom Cruise in "Mission: Impossible IV."

According to Deadline, Paramount production chief Adam Goodman feels Renner "has a Daniel Craig quality" that he wants for the role. Sources tell the site that the studio was also looking for an actor who might be able to continue on with the franchise, should Cruise choose not to return in the future (Cruise is expected to return for a fifth installment).

Other actors considered for the role include Tom Hardy ("Inception"), Chris Pine ("Star Trek"), Kevin Zegers, Christopher Egan and Renner's "Hurt Locker" co-star Anthony Mackie.

Although the production has had a few bumps and uncertainties along the way, Cruise has been vocal about his commitment to bring in new talent to the franchise. "My whole thing with the series is always having a new director come on and put their stamp on 'Mission: Impossible,' " he told MTV News recently. "Brian De Palma was first, then John Woo, J.J. Abrams and now Brad Bird, so it will be Brad Bird's 'Mission: Impossible.' "

Regarding his thoughts on the story line — which is, of course, heavily under wraps — Cruise said simply: "It's sick. It's fun, really fun."

Ever since his star-making turn in last year's awards-season darling (and Best Picture winner) "The Hurt Locker," Renner has been lining up a slate of prestigious and high-profile projects. He'll next appear in Ben Affleck's much buzzed about Boston drama "The Town," followed by a stint as superhero Hawkeye in Joss Whedon's "Avengers," and then his role in "Mission: Impossible IV."

The production, directed by Bird, with Cruise and J.J. Abrams producing, is set to begin shooting this fall.

Check out everything we've got on "Mission: Impossible IV."

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