Rebecca Ferguson to play female lead in `MI 5`

Los Angeles: Swedish newcomer Rebecca Ferguson has been tapped to star opposite Tom Cruise in `Mission: Impossible V` after Jessica Chastain passed the part. Ferguson made a name out of herself when she starred in the titular role of `The White Queen`, reportedly. She was nominated for a Golden Globe this year for her first English-language role. She can next be seen in Brett Ratner`s `Hercules`, to be released on July 25. Actor Alec Baldwin is in talks to join the fifth installment of the action franchise as the head of the CIA. Plot is still kept under wraps but reports say he will be a high-ranking CIA officer who oversees Cruise`s division, very much like Laurence Fishburne`s role in `Mission: Impossible 3`. Chris McQuarrie will direct the film from the script penned by Drew Pearce. Paramount has slated it for release on December 25, 2015. Cruise will reprise his role as Ethan Hunt. Jeremy Renner and Simon Pegg also return to the franchise.