Following a lawsuit dismissal just a few days ago involving screenwriter and former plantiff Timothy Patrick McLanahan, things are moving forward with some further casting news for the forthcoming production of the tentatively titled Mission: Impossible 5. Paramount Pictures annouced the film last August with actor Tom Cruise producing as well as returning to the role of agent Ethan Hunt in the fifth film of the series, pairing him once again with Jack Reacher helmer Christopher McQuarrie.
Trade site Deadline has reported the addition of two more names to the confirmed cast, including London actress Rebecca Ferguson in the female lead, and actor and former MSNBC host Alec Baldwin in the role of the C.I.A. director. Simon Pegg, who debuted his role in the the third film and continued into the fourth confirmed his return to the franchise with MTV last November, while actor Jeremy Renner stated his return to the franchise earlier last month; Renner joined the franchise with actress Paula Patton for the fourth film, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, which became the biggest film of the franchise grossing nearly $700 globally under director Brad Bird.
There’s no word yet on what the plot will entail regarding Iron Man 3 co-scribe Drew Pearce’s screenplay, and none on whether or not Patton or franchise actor Ving Rhames or Ghost Protocol actress Paula Patton will be back on board. Mission: Impossible 5 bows next Christmas.
Stay tuned for more info.