UPDATED 9/16 (5:19 PST): The sixth installment of Mission: Impossible is back on as a pay dispute between Paramount the franchise’s star Tom Cruise has apparently been resolved. The news came out today in an exclusive at The Hollywood Reporter. While previously expected to start shooting in January of 2017, M:I 6 is now expected to start production in spring of 2017.
EARLIER: Preproduction has halted on Mission: Impossible 6 over a pay dispute between star Tom Cruise and Paramount. According to The Hollywood Reporter, at issue is Cruise’s back-end profit participation, as he is looking to match or exceed his salary from Universal for starring in The Mummy, currently shooting in London. Universal is hoping to launch a shared monster universe cinematic franchise including The Mummy, Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Invisible Man. Universal is banking on the Cruise name to be a box office draw.
The five previous films in the Mission:Impossible franchise powered by Cruise has pulled in over $2.8 billion in worldwide box office. Skydance is co-financing. Christopher McQuarrie is set to write and helm, having directed the most recent installment to great success.
Previously, a November 2016 production start was delayed to January 2017 due to script issues. Now, the January 2017 production start has been delayed again over this pay dispute. Although a late 2017 release was originally being planned, there is no current release date set for the latest Mission: Impossible installment.