Jeremy Renner to Co-Star in M:I4

Paramount is planning to introduce a character in Mission: Impossible IV that could take the reigns from Tom Cruise and carry the franchise forward. After considering multiple actors they have decided to go with Jeremy Renner. Already considered a big up-and-coming star due to his Academy Award nominated role in The Hurt Locker, Renner also has the added exposure on the way of being in the cast of The Avengers as Hawkeye. He also stars alongside Ben Affleck in The Town which releases on September 17th.

The thought is that Renner will play another operative alongside Cruise’s Ethan Hunt and essentially share the load here which in turn will ease him into the lead for the future of M:I. Brad Bird (Ratatouille, The Incredibles) is set to the direct and the screenplay is being co-written by JJ Abrams. Mission: Impossible 4 has an announced release date of December 16th 2011.