Cruise may return for new Mission

Tom Cruise played US agent Ethan Hunt in all three Mission movies

Hollywood actor Tom Cruise could star in another Mission: Impossible film, despite falling out with its movie studio Paramount two years ago.

Cruise and Paramount Pictures ended a 14-year working relationship in 2006.

But Sumner Redstone, the chairman of Paramount's parent company Viacom, said he would not oppose Cruise being cast.

"I consider Tom Cruise a great actor and a good friend, and if Paramount decides to go ahead with him, I will not object," he said.

Mr Redstone added that the decision would be made by Paramount boss Brad Grey.

In 2006, Mr Redstone told the Wall Street Journal the relationship with Cruise had been ended because "his recent conduct has not been acceptable to Paramount".

At the time, Cruise's business partner Paula Wagner said they chose to leave Paramount.

The separation came in the wake of stories about Cruise's opinions on the use of anti-depressants, Scientology and his relationship with Katie Holmes.

Cruise, who has also starred in movies such as Jerry Maguire, Minority Report and Top Gun, played US agent Ethan Hunt in all three Mission Impossible films.