Tom Cruise Confirmed For ‘Mission: Impossible IV’; Could ‘Knight And Day’ Put Role In Jeopardy?

Tom Cruise says he’ll return as Ethan Hunt in “Mission: Impossible IV.”

“It’s official,” a message on Tom’s official Twitter page announced on Wednesday. “Tom Cruise is returning in the role of Ethan Hunt for the upcoming Mission Impossible IV!”

The Tweet linked to Tom’s blog, which linked to a story by The Hollywood Reporter that called the superstar actor “delicately poised.”

“We absolutely are excited about having Tom Cruise star in this movie,” Paramount vice chairman Rob Moore told the trade mag.

A Paramount rep told Access Hollywood on Thursday that Tom is still confirmed for the film and has been for some time.

However, The Hollywood Reporter further stated that Paramount is keeping a close eye on the overseas box office receipts for Tom’s latest action film, “Knight and Day.” It will open in a number of countries, including Australia, Brazil and Spain, this weekend

According to the mag, should it reach less than $200 million in foreign grosses, “some industry observers” think the “Mission: Impossible” role could be in jeopardy.

Thus far, the film has earned $63 million domestically. Tom’s last film, “Valkyrie,” topped out at $83 million – both less than Tom’s last outing as Ethan in the $134 million-grossing “Mission: Impossible III.” That film earned over $263 million in foreign grosses.

Paramount did not comment to Access on whether or not “Knight and Day” would play a role in Tom’s screen time.

Tom and “Mission: Impossible III” producer/director J.J. Abrams announced a year ago that the two will co- produce the new film, with a release date scheduled for December 2011.