Filming of Mission: Impossible 3 started today in Rome, Italy. They shot an action sequence involving a speed boat. Tom as well as co-stars Michelle Monaghan, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Ving Rhames were all on set along with Tom’s fiancee Katie Holmes who siply accompanied him along for the shoot. I’ve only seen some low resolution tagged images, if I can find anything else, I will upload those probably tomorrow. Exams are keeping me busy. 🙂

You can read a little more about this at ctv.ca and also see a photo!

Laurence Fishburne (“The Matrix” trilogy) will star in Paramount’s Mission: Impossible 3, says The Hollywood Reporter. He joins a cast that includes Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Michelle Monaghan and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

The second sequel, to be directed by J.J. Abrams (Lost, Alias), is being produced by Cruise and his production partner Paula Wagner through their C/W Productions banner. Fishburne will play Cruise’s mentor, while Hoffman will play the villain.

“M:I-3” is set to start filming July 18 in Italy and will shoot on location throughout the world for a May 5, 2006 release date.
Source: ComingSoon.net

Tom Cruise might be paying a return visit to Hampton Roads. The Virginia Film Office in Richmond confirmed today that Paramount Pictures is considering the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and other sites in Hampton Roads as potential locations to film scenes for “Mission Impossible III.”

Cruise, who came to Gloucester with director Steven Spielberg in 2001 to film a few key scenes for “Minority Report,” is the star and co-producer of the third “Mission Impossible” film, which is scheduled to begin primary filming in Europe later this month. If local officials are able to strike a deal with Paramount, Hampton Roads would be one of several locations used in the globe-trotting action-adventure film.

“They are looking, but that’s as far as I can go at this point,” said Mary Nelson, communications manager of the Virginia Film Office. “We are hoping. We have our fingers crossed.” A spokeswoman for the bridge-tunnel said the commission that oversees its operation has “approved in concept a proposed agreement for the potential use” by Paramount. Director of public relations Lorraine Smith said the commission has agreed to consider the request if the film’s producers decide they want to use the bridge-tunnel as a location. If the deal is worked out, the film’s first unit – headed by Cruise and director J.J. Abrams – would be filming on the bridge and within its tubes.

The film office did not offer a timetable for Paramount’s decision, but filming is expected to go on throughout the summer and into the early fall. “Mission Impossible III” is tentatively scheduled for a July 2006 release.
(DailyPress)

Keri Russell is set to reunite with director J.J. Abrams, who created the Russell-starrer Felicity, in Paramount’s Mission: Impossible 3.
The actress will portray a trainee agent mentored by Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt character in the flick, set to begin shooting July 18 in Italy.

The role had been filled last year by Scarlett Johansson before the project was delayed.
Ving Rhames will reprise his role as Luther Stickel. Michelle Monaghan, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Philip Seymour Hoffman are also part of the cast.

(StarCentral, Moviehole, darkhorizons, ComingSoon)

Mission: Impossible 3, starring Tom Cruise, will commence principal photography on July 18th in Italy, it was announced today by Paramount Pictures Chairman and CEO Brad Grey.

The film, to be directed by J. J. Abrams and filmed on locations across Europe, the U.S. and Asia, is scheduled to be released May 5, 2006. Cruise and his partner, Paula Wagner, will produce for Cruise/Wagner Productions.

“Tom’s history with Paramount has made for one of Hollywood’s most successful relationships; the opportunity to continue our collaboration with him on ‘Mission: Impossible 3’ is everything anyone in show business could hope for. This has been a great franchise for Paramount Pictures and fantastic entertainment for moviegoers around the world. We’re thrilled to be embarking on this exciting third ‘Mission’ with the amazing talents of Tom Cruise, J. J. Abrams, and the whole ‘M:I 3’ team,” said Grey.

The third installment in the hugely successful “Mission: Impossible” series will feature Mr. Cruise reprising his role as Special Agent Ethan Hunt, along with co-stars Ving Rhames, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Michelle Monaghan, and the newest cast addition, Philip Seymour Hoffman.

In addition to “M:I 3,” Cruise/Wagner productions include writer-director Cameron Crowe’s Elizabethtown and War of the Worlds, starring Cruise and directed by Steven Spielberg, which will be released worldwide on June 29th.
Source: ComingSoon.net

Various websites (contactmusic, filmforce, accesshollywood) report that Lindsey Lohan is added to the M:I-3 cast, alongside Ving Rhames. Apparently Kenneth Branagh and Carrie-Anne Moss both remain serious possibilities for the thriller.

According to internet site Moviehole.net she was overheard talking about the film during a recent interview, which has yet to be broadcast. The redhead-gone-blonde told the interviewer, “Shhhh. You’re the first ones I’ve told,” according to the site. The actress let the news slip during a radio interview with 102.7 KIIS-FM in Los Angeles. She confirmed her involvement soon after to Access Hollywood.

“I actually met with J.J. Abrams, who is directing [the film],” said Lohan. “I’m a huge fan of … Lost and Alias, so hopefully, we will see what happens. If so, I’ll be in training for a few weeks, putting on some muscles.”

Regarding how it would feel to work alongside superstar Tom Cruise, the actress said, “It’s kind of an incredible feeling, I’m scared. If I do ‘Mission: Impossible 3′ that is going to be so exhilarating. I’m so excited, I just can’t wait to do stunts and get all into it.”

She’ll be heading for China, where shooting is expected to begin this fall. She wasn’t the producers’ first choice for the part however; she’s replacing Lost in Translation’s Scarlett Johannson, who recently pulled out of the project. Lohan’s character will most likely be a cute, ingénue ally of Ethan Hunt’s (Tom Cruise) in the Mission: Impossible 3 story.

On the other hand reporter Michael Ausiello from TVGuide said Abrams told him yesterday that he’s talking to his former Felicity muse, Keri Russell, about joining the cast of MI:3 — although it’s unclear if that’s for the same role as Lohan. “There is a role that I think Keri would be spectacular for,” he says, “but there’s a process I must go through [before I cast her].”