Brad Pitt is set to replace Tom Cruise in the next Mission Impossible film, a starring role which will make him the highest paid actor in Hollywood history.
Determined to keep the lucrative series alive, sources say Paramount, who dropped Cruise last month, is prepared to do whatever it takes to get Pitt on board including giving him a £21m salary.
An insider told London Lite: "MI:IV will not include Cruise's character, agent Ethan Hunt. They're considering a brief mention, saying Hunt retired to live a safe life with his new wife. They're set on Brad taking over as a gutsy new head operative who puts together his own unique team of specialists."
Cruise and Paramount ended their 14-year relationship in August, reportedly because of the star's recent eccentric behaviour.
Sources say that with Cruise now off the lot, Pitt - whose production company Plan B is based at Paramount - is clearly the biggest star with a deal at the studio.
The source added: ""Brad is showing the studio what he's made of. Everyone is very impressed. Everything's being kept top secret, but they're offering Brad a deal no one could possibly refuse.
"There's no doubt, this would make Brad Pitt the biggest and highest paid star in the world."