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Brad's mission, if he chooses to accept it, is to take Tom's job
Last updated at 14:52pm on 18.09.06
Secret agent: Studio bosses want Brad Pitt to replace Tom Cruise in the Mission Impossible films
Brad Pitt has been lined up to replace Tom Cruise in the next Mission Impossible film. It is a move that will make Pitt the highest-paid actor in Hollywood history.
Paramount Pictures, the company behind the franchise, ended their long-running partnership with Cruise and is planning to install Pitt in the lead role.
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The firm is determined to keep the lucrative series alive after Mission Impossible:III took £212million at the box office, with the previous episode taking £290 million.
An insider told London Lite: "MI:IV will not include Cruise's character, agent Ethan Hunt.
They're considering a brief mention, saying Hunt retired to live a safe life with his new wife.
"They're set on Brad taking over as a gutsy new head operative who puts together his own unique team of specialists."
Sources say Paramount is prepared to do whatever it takes to get Pitt on board, and is even willing to make him the highest-paid movie star in history, with a salary topping £21 million.
Cruise and Paramount ended their 14-year relationship last month, with chairman Sumner Redstone blaming Cruise's controversial behaviour for the split.
"It's nothing to do with his acting ability, he's a terrific actor," Redstone told the Wall Street Journal.
"But we don't think that someone who commits creative suicide and costs the company revenue should be on the lot. As much as we like him personally, we thought it was wrong to renew his deal. His recent conduct has not been acceptable to Paramount."
Sources cite Cruise's bizarre antics - such as the infamous "sofa dance" on the Oprah Winfrey chat show - and his links to the Church Of Scientology as factors in why he and the studio parted company.
They say that with Cruise now off the lot, Pitt - whose production company Plan B is based at Paramount - is clearly the biggest star with a deal at the studio.
Plan B recently won a heated bidding war against Leonardo DiCaprio's production company for Max Brooks' upcoming horror novel, World War Z. "Brad is showing the studio what he's made of," added the source. "Everyone is very impressed.
"Everything's being kept top secret, but they're offering Brad a deal no one could possibly refuse. There's no doubt, this would make Brad Pitt the biggest and highest paid star in the world."
Reader views (8)
Thank God they dumped Tom Cruise. That guy needs some mental help. Brad will be great in the film and will represent the film company the way they would expect. With Tom you would never know what would be next.
- Jimmy, pawleys island,s.c.
Brad is the best actor!
- Pitt, Mexico
Absolutely, Brad Pitt is the prime choice for that role. He is the best male actor out there, by far.
- Loni, NY
Both Brad and Tom are entertaining. Both are handsome. Both have long careers ahead of them.. Yes, BOTH. The Mission Impossible franchise puts out entertaining films. It makes no difference wheter it's Brad or Tom. They are both talented and entertaining.
My only wish for Tom Cruise is that, while he is certainly entitled to his opinions and beliefs, so are the rest of us. His hostile attitude towards those of us who accept the benefits of prescription drugs to combat mental frailties and who balk at Scientology is where my issues with him lie. Just let the rest of society have their opinions too Mr. Cruise. Meanwhile, I do hope he continues to entertain us. Brad too!
- Toni, West Los Angeles, CA
It's no wonder Hollywood is struggling. What do they expect when they pay one actor for one film what equals an average person's lifetime of wages? I'm a fan of Pitt's work but there should be a cap on all actor's wages. These 20 million dollar paychecks are ridiculous! Hollywood is never going to recover at this rate.
- Douglas Macrae, Toronto
Brad Pitt rocks! Best Actor out there!
- Jerod, LA
Brad Pitt instead of Cruise in MI 4?? The very idea is tasteless and laughable. Count me out.
- Gw, Burbank, Ca. USA
Mission Impossible is owned by Cruise/ Wanger Production which is Tom's comapny so how is Paramount going to do that?
- Helen, London
