JJ Abrams Stunned by Tom Cruise's Generosity  3/24/06

Hollywood star Tom Cruise stunned his Mission: Impossible III director when he offered the maverick film-maker full artistic freedom.

Cruise was so determined to have Lost genius JJ Abrams on board the action sequel, he accepted a barrage of criticism and agreed to place the entire project in Abrams' hands.

Abrams says, "The screenplay Joe Carnahan was working dealt with issues that, in my opinion, were just too big and serious for Mission: Impossible.

"It was cool and incredibly dark, but it just wasn't my version of Mission: Impossible.

"I told Tom, I get this, but it's not my thing. He said, 'Okay, let's wait a year and do your thing.' I couldn't believe it.

"The truth is Tom let me write the movie with co-writers I wanted to write with, cast it the way I wanted to cast it, direct it the way I thought it should be directed, and cut the film too."