Brad Pitt to take over the lucrative "Mission Impossible" franchise

Paramount Studios is courting superstar Brad Pitt to take over the lucrative "Mission Impossible" franchise.

Brad Pitt would replace Tom Cruise in 'Mission:
Impossible IV'.
Tom was recently dropped by Paramount Studios dropped because of his
"unacceptable conduct" in public and the lackluster box office takings of
the third film in the franchise.

The deal would make Brad Hollywood's highest paid actor with a $40 million paycheck.

One industry insider told Britain's London Light newspaper: "'Mission:
Impossible IV' will not include Tom'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."

“If Paramount was serious about continuing the ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise without Tom Cruise in the lead role, Brad Pitt is obviously well suited to fill his very big shoes,� Access Hollywood movie guru Scott Mantz said. “He’s sexy, he’s fit, he’s an A-list star in his own right, and after playing a similar role in last year’s blockbuster ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith,’ he’s certainly got the action chops.�

Other industry experts agree that Brad has got what it takes to step into the role. But would the fans embrace the change?

“It’s an interesting idea. I think audiences would be interested in the notion. Of all the actors out there, Brad could definitely fill the shoes,� said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations.

Studios bosses are allegedly considering offering Brad over £21 million to
sign up for the fourth film, the single biggest fee ever paid to an actor
for one film.
The actor is no stranger to the genre having already had big screen success
in a number of action movies, including 'Mrs and Mrs Smith' and 'Spy Game'
opposite Robert Redford.
Brad - who has two adopted children, Maddox, five, and 18-month-old Zahara,
and one biological daughter, four-month-old Shiloh Nouvel, with partner
Angelina Jolie - is currently filming the latest addition in another
successful franchise, 'Ocean's Thirteen', in Los Angeles.