Well, we all knew this was coming, or at least something like it. Ever since Knight and Day failed at the box office this summer, Paramount has been contemplating what to do with M:I4. Could Tom Cruise sustain the film on his own, or has he completely lost all the drawing power he once had? Paramount had two decisions: fire Cruise, or higher a younger, more box office viable star. It seems they have chosen the latter.
Deadline broke the news today that Hurt Locker star Jeremy Renner has been cast as Tom Cruise’s replacement...err, fellow operative in the next installment in the Mission: Impossible franchise. He will have co-star billing in the film, developed from a script by Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemeo. It’ll be directed by Incredibles helmer Brad Bird, and is slated to be released December of next year. Along with Renner, both Chris Pine and Tom Hardy were in the running for the role.
I am vastly intrigued about the casting choices Renner has made post his Oscar nom for Hurt Locker. So far, it seems he’s going for a more “action hero” look then “serious, dramatic actor” look. A good choice, I think. He was great in The Hurt Locker, and he displays a fantastic, Tom Cruise like personality. Although I am substantially bummed that my choice for the role, Chris Pine, was to busy to nab the part. But hey, I want Chris Pine in everything, and Renner’s not a bad choice either. Renner will next be seen in The Town, out September 17.
