Frank T.J. Mackey himself Tom Cruise has signed on to produce the fourth installment of Mission Impossible, joining Star Trek helmer J.J. Abrams. Paramount Studios will put up the money and the whole thing could be in theaters by 2011. Got it? Good. Because that’s all the information anyone has. There’s no star, no script, no director. Just two dudes, hanging out with the express written consent of old boys’ club.

So, where does that even leave us? Well The Hollywood Reporter put forth a pretty comprehensive article on the subject; let me give you the Cliff's Notes. Cruise has not committed to appear on camera, Abrams has not committed to direct behind the camera. Cruise is not committed to any future projects, though he’s been deciding between three or four for awhile. Abrams is producing the new Star Trek sequel and an upcoming comedy with Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton. Both men could probably fit this in but don’t really need to. Cruise is getting up there in years a bit, but probably isn’t too old to still top line an action movie; though, any future sequels would increasingly become more problematic.

I say Abrams ends up directing and Cruise ends up returning as Ethan Hunt. Star Trek may have proven rebooting a franchise can work, but Tom Cruise guarantees this will make a fortune. Everyone likes money in the bank.