Just a few months before filming was scheduled to begin, Tom Cruise has abruptly left Warner Bros.' planned remake of the classic '60s TV series 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' But one action-packed remake of an old spy TV show's loss is another's gain. Cruise will instead focus his attention on 'Mission: Impossible 5' which is now gearing up to begin production later this year.

Cruise signed on earlier this year to star in 'U.N.C.L.E.' with Armie Hammer and Guy Ritchie ('Sherlock Holmes') directing with a September start date was planned. But as 'Mission: Impossible 5' began to heat up, Cruise realized his schedule was getting too tight and he opted to focus on 'Mission,' a franchise he also produces.

Cruise is expected to play a big part in the scripting and planning of 'Mission: Impossible 5' with writer Drew Pearce ('Iron Man 3') and director Christopher McQuarrie (who recently directed Cruise in 'Jack Reacher') and wanted extra time to make sure the film was just right.

It's good news for fans of 'Mission: Impossible' but more bad luck for 'U.N.C.L.E.' which was almost set to go last year with George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh set to reteam on the project. Clooney injured his back and left the film with Soderbergh following closely behind. Warner Bros. was able to keep the project afloat with Cruise and Ritchie, and now they'll have to hope they can find another A-list actor to fill the role without having to push back the start date.

Both Hammer and Ritchie are reportedly still involved with the production despite the loss of their star.

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