Actors Anthony Mackie, Kevin Zegers, and Chris Egan testing for Mission: Impossible 4

I like Tom Cruise and I adore Brad Bird… and really, those are the only real good reasons to give two shits about yet another MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE sequel. Then we heard Ving Rhames (PIRANHA 3D) and Simon Pegg (BURKE AND HARE) would be reprising their respective roles, and that was a good thing too. But who else would be joining the fray that’s worth getting excited for?

According to TheWrap, three actors are apparently in the mix: Anthony Mackie (THE HURT LOCKER, NOTORIOUS), Kevin Zegers (“Gossip Girl”, WRONG TURN), and Chris Egan (LETTERS TO JULIET, ERAGON). The young thespians have either already screen-tested or are preparing to, says TheWrap. But it’s not clear if the three are vying for a single part or if they’re looking to be cast as three different characters.

Of the three, Mackie has the biggest profile, and I know I’d be most interested to see him get a role in a big film, especially after his really strong performance in last year’s THE HURT LOCKER (and he wasn’t a bad Tupac Shakur in NOTORIOUS either).

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 4 is set to be released on December 16, 2011.