Branagh joins Cruise

Once upon a time, Kenneth Branagh was signed to star as the MISSION:IMPOSSIBLE 3 villain. You know, the one that Philip Seymour Hoffman eventually went on to play. Of course that iteration of the film went up in smoke and Branagh (along with Carrie-Anne Moss and Scarlett Johansson) left the production. But Cruise will not be denied his Branagh. The two will reteam for Bryan Singer’s upcoming WWII drama VALKYRIE. The formerly untitled film follows a plot to assassinate Hitler. Branagh’s character will mentor Cruise’s as they hatch a plan to off Der Fuhrer. Singer pal Christopher McQuarrie (THE USUAL SUSPECTS) wrote the script based on true events. Filming is scheduled to begin this July in Berlin. Branagh can be seen next in SLUETH with Michael Caine and Jude Law (wow, that’s some collection of Brits!).