"Mission: Impossible III," released in 2006 and directed by J.J. Abrams, is arguably the best entry in that series. Abrams is coming back to produce "Mission: Impossible IV" with Tom Cruise, who will also star, with "The Incredibles" helmer Brad Bird directing. Cruise recently sat down for a chat with MTV's Josh Horowitz to promote his upcoming summer action-comedy "Knight and Day," which opens June 25, and here's what the superstar actor had to say about Ethan Hunt's latest adventure.

"Brad's great," Cruise said. "My whole thing with the series is always having a new director come on and put their stamp on 'Mission: Impossible.' Brian De Palma was first, then John Woo, J.J. Abrams and now Brad Bird, so it will be Brad Bird's 'Mission: Impossible.'"

Cruise is a fan of Bird's work, and even though he's never directed a live-action film, the actor/producer is confident that he's the right man for the job. "If you really know his work, the guy is just extraordinary," Cruise said. "You look at 'The Incredibles,' his action is... incredible, but it's really like live-action. He's got an incredible sense of story and wit. J.J. and I are producing it together, and we're really excited about it. It's going to be fun."

What Cruise wouldn't talk about was the story. It is known that his Ethan Hunt character will return... and that's all. My own theory is that he'll be the villain, but for now we'll have to wait and see. Cruise isn't sharing any details, just that he's a fan. "It's sick," he said of the story. "It's fun, really fun."