'Mission: Impossible 5' filming continues: Alec Baldwin, Simon McBurney among new cast members

Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in 2011's "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" [Photo credit: Facebook]

"Mission: Impossible 5" has become another opportunity for stars Tom Cruise and Ving Rhames to reunite as the ultimate spy pair.

With Cruise returning as IMF Agent Ethan Hunt, Rhames will once again play Luther Stickell. Jeremy Renner also confirmed that he will reprise his role of William Brandt in the upcoming "Mission: Impossible" film.

While Rhames appeared alongside Cruise in the first, second, and third movies, Renner first starred in the franchise in its fourth film, "Ghost Protocol," released in 2011.

Aside from Cruise, Rhames, and Renner, Simon Pegg will be reprising his role as Benji Dunn. Meanwhile, rumors of Paula Patton returning have not been confirmed.

It's been said that new cast members have signed on to join "Mission: Impossible 5," including "30 Rock" actor Alec Baldwin as the new Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director. "Prometheus" star Sean Harris has also reportedly joined the cast as the main villain, and Rebecca Ferguson has been asked to join the film as its leading lady.

Simon McBurney, who had recently been filming a role in BBC and HBO's TV adaptation of J.K. Rowling's "Casual Vacancy," has also been reported by Variety to be joining the "Mission: Impossible 5" cast.

J.J. Abrams will not be directing the latest installment of the "Mission: Impossible" film series, although he will be producing the film under Bad Robot Productions.

Directorial duties have been handed over to Chris McQuarrie, who had worked with Cruise on past movies such as "Valkyrie," "Jack Reacher," and "Edge of Tomorrow."

McQuarrie also took to Twitter and shared a message about the cast and crew's reunion for "Mission: Impossible 5." He tweeted: "The team is back. @Renner4Real @TomCruise @simonpegg #VingRhames #MI5Diary."

Filming locations for the upcoming movie include Vienna in Austria and the Marrakech Stadium in Morocco. According to Pegg, other locations may include Leavesden, which would take him closer to his hometown. However, rumors of the cast and crew heading to the House of Parliament to continue filming have not been confirmed.

"Mission: Impossible 5" has been slotted for an official release on Dec. 25, 2015.

News
King Charles attends Royal Maundy service in Wales
King Charles attends Royal Maundy service in Wales

Hundreds of people gathered at St Asaph Cathedral on Thursday for the annual Royal Maundy service, held in Wales for only the second time in the service's 800-year history.

Welsh church to hear full bell ring for first time at Easter service
Welsh church to hear full bell ring for first time at Easter service

Over 150 years since a north Wales church was built with plans for a full ring of bells, the sound long intended for its tower is finally set to be heard at an Easter service.

'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose', by James Macintyre
'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose', by James Macintyre

'Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose' is beautifully written, with an unusually nuanced approach to political matters.

MPs reminded of impact of Christian faith in politics with book gift
MPs reminded of impact of Christian faith in politics with book gift

Alastair Campbell famously declared "We don't do God."