Two Writers Plan Mission: Impossible 4

Published by Jeff Leins on August 7, 2009

Producers Tom Cruise and J.J. Abrams and Paramount Pictures have selected two writers for a fourth Mission: Impossible.  Josh Applebaum and Andre Nemec, who contributed to Abram’s “Alias” for four seasons, have signed to develop Mission: Impossible 4 from an original idea by Abrams and Cruise.

The studio is planning a 2011 release, which will likely be in May like the other three installments.

As usual for an Abrams project, the story details are being kept entirely secret though Cruise is expected to star and reprise his character Ethan Hunt. While discussing the possible sequel months ago, the actor said he wanted a “big action sequence” in downtown Tokyo.

Abrams told Variety, “I’ve been looking forward to working with Josh and Andre again for years. Their sense of balance between character and action is wonderful, which I know is hugely important to Tom as well. We’re off to an exciting start, so, as usual, fingers crossed.”

Alex Kurtzman and Robert Orci also served as writers and producers on “Alias” before writing Mission: Impossible III.  Their success lead to two Transformers movies, a successful Star Trek reboot, and several other upcoming studio films.

As Abram’s first feature directing gig, M:I3 turned out to be a solid movie.  However, I don’t expect Abrams to step behind the camera again for the fourth with his busy schedule and another Star Trek on the way.