Last week TV Guide had a small blurb about Tom Cruise possibly coming back to reprise his role as Special Agent Ethan Hunt in another Mission: Impossible film, and although that’s not huge news and probably a major rumor, what sparked the most attention was that J.J. Abrams was asked by Cruise to co-produce it with him.

According to Abrams, “Tom and I have come up with a really cool idea we are pursuing.”

There hasn’t been a screenwriter attached nor is there a director. Abrams says that he’s “incredibly honored” that Tom invited him back, and he has not yet committed to return as director.

Today, however, Hollywood trades report that it has been confirmed that there will be a Mission: Impossible 4 in 2011. As far as a story goes, The Hollywood Reporter says that there are a couple options being considered right now: 1) they “could re-conceive it in a way that is closer to the ensemble approach of the TV series”, or 2) they “could reconfigure Cruise as Ethan Hunt in a less front-and-center role, as some kind of mentor to the new M:I crew.”

Discussion: Do you want to see another M:I movie? Does this franchise have any legs yet?

Related posts:

1. Brad Bird Is In Final Negotiations To Direct Mission: Impossible IV
2. Will We See Captain America in 2010 or 2011?
3. J.J. Abrams Says He Is Working On Cloverfield 2
4. Off The Radar: Knight And Day Trailer