Based on a TV show that ran from 1966-73, the "Mission: Impossible" series stars Cruise as Ethan Hunt, an agent for the Impossible Missions Force. It has also bred the catchphrase, "Your mission, should you choose to accept it..."
"Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol" is the fourth film in the series, which has grossed $800 million total, adjusted for inflation. The most recent, "M:I III," had the lowest take of the three.
So, for the fourth iteration — the first in five years — Paramount rebooted. Instead of being "Mission: Impossible IV," it's "Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol."
The film is being directed by Brad Bird, of Pixar fame. He'll be the fourth director to take on the "M: I" franchise, following Brian De Palma, John Woo and J.J. Abrams. It's also Bird's first live-action directorial effort, following "The Iron Giant," "The Incredibles" and "Ratatouille."
Filmed in Moscow, Prague, Mumbai, Vancouver and Dubai, the movie has an astronomical $140 million budget — though it's about on par with the budgets for the previous two films in the series.
Since some of it was filmed in Dubai, it's only fitting that "Ghost Protocol" will have its debut at the Dubai International Film Festival.
"Ghost Protocol" flips the script a bit: instead of Ethan having to clear his own name, as was the case in the first movie, he now has to clear the name of the entire IMF — or risk war with Russia.
Paramount ratcheted up the prestige of Cruise's co-stars this time around as well. Featuring alongside him is the Academy Award-nominated Jeremy Renner, who can use the role to prep for his upcoming turn as Jason Bourne.
Also featuring importantly will be Simon Pegg and Paula Patton, as fellow IMF agents, and Swedish actor Michael Nyqvist as the villain.
After the Dubai premiere of "Ghost Protocol," the film will be rolled out in IMAX and then regular theaters in the U.S. Early glimpses are promising, particularly the most recent trailer.
Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol-2011-11
