The previous M:I movie - Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol - was directed by Brad Bird (The Incredibles) and grossed close to $700 million worldwide, so there are massive expectations for the fifth instalment. McQuarrie, who also worked with Cruise on the World War 2 drama Valkyrie, is a well respected writer and director, having earned an Oscar for penning The Usual Suspects.
The move to secure McQuarrie's services for the new Mission: Impossible movie may be due to the genuine excitement and buzz around Jack Reacher, which is based on the novel One Shot by British author Lee Child and is part of the Jack Reacher series of novels. The story centres on a sniper murdering people in a seemingly random killing spree. A military sniper who the police believe is behind the killings claims his innocence in the face of overwhelming evidence against him, so in steps Reacher - an outlaw of sorts devoted to ensuring justice prevails even if it means bending or breaking a few rules on the way.
Jack Reacher will be released on December 21st in North America and opens in the UK on Boxing Day, while there's yet to be an announcement on a date for Mission: Impossible 5.
