Tom Cruise struck the match and J.J. Abrams lit the fuse to Mission: Impossible IV with former “Alias” executive producers Josh Applebaum and Andre Nemec set to write the screenplay.

Applebaum and Nemec worked four seasons of  ”Alias” with Abrams and they will script M: I 4 based on a story Abrams wrote with them.

The reteaming of Cruise and Abrams is an exciting and clever move for both of them. Cruise will be involved on screen with his character Ethan Hunt.  The movie is aiming for a 2011 release.

My take on this production is that J.J. Abrams is running the show, especially since he’s bringing in his own people.  Tom Cruise movies are bankable and Cruise will probably take a minor role in producing since he’ll be in front of the camera.