Jeremy Renner to co-star with Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible IV

(HMG) – “The Hurt Locker” star Jeremy Renner is set to move from the battlefield to another deadly mission, as co-star to Tom Cruise in “Mission: Impossible IV.”  According to Deadline Hollywood Renner is currently in negotiations with Paramount Pictures to take on the role as Cruise’s partner in “Mission: Impossible IV”.  While there were many hot actors considered for the role, including Tom Hardy, Chris Pine, Kevin Zegers, Christopher Egan and Anthony Mackie, production chief Adam Goodman is said to have thought the 39-year-old Renner “has a Daniel Craig quality” and the heft to carry the franchise.  Which is necessary because the studio has been looking for an actor who could potentially continue the franchise should Cruise not return in the next installment, as Ethan Hunt.  In the meantime Renner will be staying busy, starring opposite Ben Affleck in “The Town” which is set to come out in the U.S. on September 17. Renner will also take a role of Hawkeye in Joss Whedon-directed “The Avengers” which is expected to start production in early 2011.