Cruise, Abrams to tackle new Mission: Impossible

Hollywood heavyweights Tom Cruise and J.J. Abrams have signed on for a new instalment of the Mission: Impossible series.

The duo last worked together on the third film in the blockbuster action franchise. The 2006 movie saw the hotly in-demand Abrams direct Cruise as retired super-spy turned teacher Ethan Hunt, who is forced to return to active duty in order to rescue one of his former pupils.

According to industry reports, Abrams and Cruise are set to co-produce a fourth Mission: Impossible movie at Paramount Studios, with a tentative release date of 2011.

It's unknown if Abrams will also direct the new film and if Cruise will star or choose to stay off-camera.

Abrams is a hot commodity in Hollywood, with recent hits like TV's Fringe and this summer's well-received Star Trek movie prequel under his belt.

Despite grossing a whopping $395 million US worldwide in 2006, Mission: ImpossibleIII was considered a disappointment compared with the two earlier films: the first took in more than $450 million US, while the second made $545 million US.