‘Mission‘ possible as Cruise signs for new sequel

A fourth film starring Cruise was deemed unlikely after the actor ended a 14-year association with Paramount in 2006.

LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Tom Cruise has signed to star in a fourth "Mission: Impossible" blockbuster, a move that had once seemed unlikely after the actor's acrimonious 2006 split with Paramount, it was reported Wednesday.

The Hollywood Reporter reported that Cruise, 47, had agreed to star in a new installment about the elite band of agents who make up the Impossible Missions Force (IMF) and will reprise his role as Ethan Hunt.

The new film has been scheduled for release in May 2011.

The three previous "Mission: Impossible" films -- a successful spin-off from the cult 1960s television series -- have taken more than 1.4 billion dollars worldwide since the first picture was released in 1996.

However, a fourth film starring Cruise was deemed unlikely after the actor ended a 14-year association with Paramount in 2006.

The split generated worldwide headlines after Sumner Redstone, the chief of Paramount's parent company Viacom, criticized Cruise, saying his "unacceptable" behavior had contributed to the company's decision.

But Redstone opened the door to a reunion last year when he said he would not be opposed to Cruise returning for a new "Mission: Impossible" film.

"I consider Tom Cruise a great actor and a good friend," Redstone said in June. "And if Paramount decides to move ahead with him, I will not object."

Cruise was most recently seen in World War II drama "Valkyrie" and will star in the upcoming action-comedy "Knight and Day" due for release in July.