Renner will play an unidentified member of Ethan Hunt's (Cruise) team; the move is seen as a potential torch-passing, provided Cruise doesn't want to return for future films in the series. This is Renner's second recent high-profile film studio Paramount, as he was cast as "Hawkeye" in The Avengers earlier this year.

For Renner, this is a chance most character actors don't get at his age (39): A sudden spot upon the A-list... He's worked steadily since breaking out in 2002's Dahmer, but primarily in supporting roles, usually in B movies like S.W.A.T and 28 Weeks Later. Now, thanks to The Hurt Locker, he's in demand and not going to come cheaply...

MI4 will shoot in the U.S., Vancouver, Prague and Dubai, with a December 2011 release planned.

Did you know that Renner got his start in a cheesy National Lampoon comedy? 

Source: Deadline.com