‘War of the Worlds’ remake to start filming in November

An update of “The War of the Worlds” — starring Tom Cruise and directed by Steven Spielberg — has been put on the fast track, replacing “Mission: Impossible 3” as Paramount Pictures’ top movie next year.

The latest version of the classic H.G. Wells science fiction novel is scheduled to start filming in November. It’s scheduled for release by the end of 2005.

Spielberg has become available with the delay of his film dealing with the aftermath of the attacks at the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics.

Wells’ 1898 novel has been adapted in a 1953 film, a TV series and as an infamous 1938 radio broadcast by Orson Welles that convinced thousands of listeners that aliens had indeed invaded.

The new screenplay is being written by David Koepp (“Jurassic Park,” “Mission Impossible,” “Spider-Man.”)

Meanwhile, the third installment of the hit “Mission: Impossible” franchise, which had been scheduled for next summer, has been delayed by director difficulties.

“Mission: Impossible 3,” also starring Cruise, is now set to shoot next summer, with J.J. Abrams, who created television’s “Alias” and “Felicity,” making his feature directorial debut.

Directors David Fincher and Joe Carnahan previously dropped out of the project.