It seems that Ethan Hunt will be heading to theaters in time for Christmas next year. eRc Box Office is reporting that Paramount Pictures has announced a December 16, 2011 release date for Mission: Impossible IV.

The film was originally slated for a May 27, 2011 release date and it seems that the film could have been moved due to the new Super 8 film, which J.J. Abrams will direct and Steven Spielberg will produce. That film has been slated for a Summer 2011 release date.

Mission: Impossible IV will be directed by Brad Bird from a script written by Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec. Tom Cruise will reprise his role from the previous three films as Ethan Hunt.