Fifth installment returns Cruise to ‘Impossible’ role

 LOS ANGELES – The last time audiences saw super spy Ethan Hunt on screen in 2011, Lalo Schifrin’s iconic “Mission: Impossible” score seemed to be playing him toward the exit. Jeremy Renner’s William Brandt character had breathed new life into the franchise’s fourth installment, “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol,” leading to speculation that the “Hurt Locker” lead would take over the reins from star Tom Cruise.

 Now Cruise has signed on to reprise his role as the world-beating IMF agent in a fifth “Mission: Impossible” movie. Franchise distributor Paramount confirmed the actor will star in and produce the new sequel, developing the project with J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot.

Associated Press