Christopher McQuarrie returns for Mission: Impossible 6, will write and direct

McQuarrie will be the first repeat director of the franchise.

We've known a follow-up to Rogue Nation was at play ever since it ignited the silver screen this summer; what's new is the confirmation that its director, Christopher McQuarrie, would return to the fray.

Even on release, Tom Cruise was already talking about plans for a sequel, telling John Stewart: "We'll probably start shooting it next summer." And if Tom Cruise wants a movie made, Tom Cruise gets a movie made; Mission: Impossible 6 has now been confirmed with McQuarrie back to write and direct, as supported by his own Twitter account.

McQuarrie and Cruise will also be producing, alongside David Ellison and Dana Goldberg. This will ostensibly be the fifth time the two work together; McQuarrie directed both Rogue Nation and Jack Reacher; as well as penning screenplays for Edge of Tomorrow and Valkyrie.

It's clear the pair make for a prosperous creative match, with Rogue Nation's box office receipts (a handsome $682.3 million) acting as quantifiable proof of that success; yet, it's a shame to see the Mission: Impossible franchise finally break its venerable tradition of introducing a new director with each instalment. Sure, we've wandered a little from those of distinctive visionary reputations, the Brian De Palmas and John Woos; but even the subtlest of differences between Brad Bird's jubilance in Ghost Protocol, and McQuarrie's slicker take, arguably formed a key ingredient in preventing the series from ever feeling stale. 

But, hey, if Tom Cruise wants to work with his best buddy again, Tom Cruise gets to work with his best buddy again.