J.J. Abrams, now one of the big guns in Hollywood, was integral in making Mission: Impossible III not only a success, but a good movie - something we needed after M:I:II.

Over the last year we've heard rumblings that Tom Cruise was planning the inevitable fourth installment. Shortly thereafter, it was reported that Cruise had asked Abrams to join him once again to make Mission: Impossible IV. With those two on board, the ball quickly started to roll and Abrams hired the writers in the summer to pen the screenplay.

The one thing we were still unsure of however, was whether or not Abrams would direct again.

The last update we heard from Abrams was from last month when spoke about Star Trek 2 and M:I IV - he said only this:

"It’s being written right now by Andre Nemec and Josh Applebaum… We’re hoping to get it soon, like by the end of the year.”

There was still no confirmation on whether or not Abrams would take the captain's chair for the second time in the Mission: Impossible franchise. Fast forward to now where J.J. interviewed with MTV News and revealed that he's probably not going to be directing.

"I'm producing with Tom... My guess is, given other things, that I will not be directing the movie."

I liked Abrams' take on M:I and while I'm a tad disappointed he won't be directing, he will still be involved in the creative process. He'll likely be busy with his other upcoming projects, not the least of which is Star Trek 2 which he may or may not direct so I'm interested to see who he and Tom Cruise pick to direct Mission: Impossible IV.

Mission Impossible 4 reboot name change

As for the story of the next Ethan Hunt adventure - there was some speculation a while back that going forward they may focus on a new younger character to take over the franchise. In response to that, Abrams had this to say:

"I don't want to give anything away yet, but I will say that it's a story that will feel consistent with the world that has been created. It's not a reboot kind of thing."

That's good news. He also emphasized that they were only interested in making another if it was truely worthy of continuing the franchise and said the "story was just so damn cool, and we got so excited about it."

Cruise wanted Abrams to jump into the film world with Mission: Impossible III after seeing what he had done with Alias and that's why Alias veterans Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec are penning the script for M:I IV. With them excited about a cool new story and Abrams involved, I can't deny I'm interested in what's coming next.

What do you think about Mission: Impossible getting a fourth feature starring Tom Cruise?

As for timing, Abrams says they're waiting on the script and they'd love to begin shooting soon.

Source: MTV