In 2011, Paramount had one its biggest hits with "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol," the fourth installment of the lucrative franchise that not only made $209 million domestically, but also grossed $694 million worldwide.

Paramount immediately announced it would release a fifth installment and Tom Cruise immediately signed on. With a year left before its release, anticipation and hype are starting to begin and fans want to know if the film will reach the heights of the fourth installment, both in quality and in action.

So what do we know at this moment?

The Movie Will Be Released on Christmas 2015

Yes, the movie will be released on Dec. 25, 2015. It will follow "Ghost Protocol's" release pattern which was also released in December. Before "Ghost Protocol," the other three were released in May during the summer and were very successful. However, December is a less crowded month in terms of action blockbusters and that sometimes helps films of this type. At the moment, "Mission: Impossible 5" will have to face off David O. Russell's Oscar contender "Joy" starring Jennifer Lawrence, "Dirty Grandpa" starring Robert De Niro, and "Kung Fu Panda 3." Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's "The Revenant" starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy is also slated to open on that day in limited release.

Christopher McQuarrie Will Direct

McQuarrie will re-team with Tom Cruise after having made "Jack Reacher" with Cruise in 2012. The first collaboration between the two was very successful, especially since "Reacher" was a critical darling. McQuarrie has also written other Cruise films, including "Valkyrie" and the critically acclaimed "Edge of Tomorrow." McQuarrie is also credited for writing "The Tourist" and "The Usual Suspects."

Having already collaborated with Cruise three times, it is likely this fourth collaboration will be as successful as the previous times.

The Cast Has Many Familiar Figures

Jeremy Renner is officially signed on to reprise his role as William Brandt, while Simon Pegg will play the role of Benji Dunn. The only cast member from the fourth installment that was not confirmed was Paula Patton. However, with no films currently on her IMDb, there is still a possibility the actress will return as Jane Carter.

Alec Baldwin will play the head of the CIA while Rebecca Ferguson will be the lead female character. Sean Harris, known for his work on Prometheus and this year's "Deliver Us from Evil," will play the main antagonist.

The Film Was Shot at the Vienna State Opera

Back in August, Cruise and Ferguson were spotted in Vienna shooting stunt scenes on top of the opera house. The Chicago Tribune caught a video of the actor doing a number of stunts. The Vienna State Opera also confirmed it on its Facebook page. The company showed a number of images with the actor, as well as different film equipment that included dollies, cranes and C-stands.

J.J Abrams Is Involved

Even though the acclaimed director is not directing the feature, he is producing it through his company Bad Robot. Abrams is well known for directing "Mission: Impossible 3" and later continued his involvement in the franchise with "Ghost Protocol." Abrams is known for releasing quality products, so fans should await another solid installment to the series.

The Technical Team

Robert Elswit will be cinematographer and he is known for his work on "There Will Be Blood" and "Good Night and Good Luck." He also worked on "Salt" and the upcoming "Inherent Vice."

Drew Pearce wrote the script and it is his follow-up to the acclaimed "Iron Man 3." Pearce has also written a number of TV shows, including "No Heroics.

Other key crew members include Mindy Marin as the casting director and James D. Bissell as the production designer.


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