Tom Cruise spotted filming major Mission Impossible scenes in London

Hollywood star Tom Cruise was spotted filming scenes for the new Mission Impossible film in London.

The 61-year-old plays Impossible Missions Force agent Ethan Hunt in the popular movie franchise. New photos suggest there will be a major twist in the upcoming eighth film, with Ethan looking set to be captured.

The series of images, shot near Downing Street, show Cruise clad entirely in blue uniform, with his hands in the air crouching down. Another sees him on his knees with his hands in the air. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two will see Ethan's battle with the Entity continue.

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Vanessa Kirby, Hannah Waddingham, Hayley Atwell and Simon Pegg are all set to star alongside Cruise. The film will release in May 2025.

Filming first began in May 2022 but was halted due to writers' and actors' strikes. Mission Impossible is the 17th highest-grossing film series of all time. Created by Bruce Geller, the first instalment released 28 years ago in 1996.

Cruise, who was 34 years old when he was first cast in the iconic role, previously hinted there could be even more to come from the franchise.

Speaking about Indiana Jones' Harrison Ford last year, he told the Sydney Morning Herald: “Harrison Ford is a legend. I hope to still be going. I’ve got 20 years to catch up with him.” He continued: “I hope to keep making Mission: Impossible films until I’m his age.”

Ford bid farewell to the daredevil archaeologist at the age of 80 years old with final instalment Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

Meanwhile, Netflix's Ripley star Dakota Fanning recently revealed that Cruise gifted her her first ever mobile phone - and still sends her birthday presents every year. The actress starred in the 2003 romcom Uptown Girls with the Cruise.

She revealed Cruise's dedication to her birthday tradition during an interview alongside Ripley co-star Andrew Scott for Harper's Bazaar earlier this week. Andrew was asked: "Who gave Dakota her first cell phone?" To which he guessed: "Okay, well it's gotta be some Hollywood icon... Tom Cruise?"

Dakota confirmed: "Yes!" while adding: "It was a Motorola Razr," before her co-star asked: "Wow! Were you so excited?"

"Oh my God, I was so excited," Dakota replied. "I didn't have anyone to call or text at the time. You know, I was 11...But I loved having it!" The actress revealed she "still keeps in touch" with the actor, adding: "Tom still sends me a birthday gift every year and has since that birthday."