Pitt denies mission to replace Cruise

Brad Pitt denies rumors he will take over for Tom Cruise in MI:4

Tom Cruise, who has been the lead for three MI movies so far (raking in $530 million in the U.S. alone) was involved in a recent split with Paramount Studios which funds the films. It was a highly-publicized event ending a 14 year relationship between Cruise and Paramount.

As soon as ties were broken, speculation began that the Mission Impossible franchise would seek a new lead actor. But Brad Pitt's spokesperson told the New York Daily News the rumors were "totally made up". Paramount has also said the rumor that Pitt was offered $52 million for a one-time deal was a "complete fabrication."