(Update 2 p.m. PST: "Slumdog Millionaire" star Anil Kapoor is in negotiations to play yet another villain in "M:I:4" according to Deadline, though Paramount claims the character isn't a villain, and Kapoor will simply play an "integral supporting role" that is being kept under wraps. Kapoor was last seen on the final season of Fox's "24," and he is represented by ICM.)
French actress Lea Seydoux will match wits with Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt as the lead female villain in Paramount's upcoming fourth "Mission: Impossible," according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Seydoux, who has appeared in "Inglourious Basterds" and "Robin Hood," was one of the rumored contenders to play Lisbeth Salander in David Fincher's English-language adaptation of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."
Coincidentally, Michael Nyqvist, the star of the original Swedish "Dragon Tattoo," has already been cast as the other villain, meaning Brad Bird's sequel will feature two European antagonists.
Series newcomers Jeremy Renner and Paula Patton will be joining Cruise and fellow returnees Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg, as well as Vladimir Mashkov, who will play a Russian agent in the sequel.
J.J. Abrams worked on the story with screenwriters Andre Nemec and Josh Appelbaum, and the "M:I:3" director will also produce the new "Mission" with Cruise and Paula Wagner.
The fourth "Mission" is set to open on Dec. 16, 2011, and production is under way in Europe.
Having already worked with both Quentin Tarantino and Ridley Scott, Seydoux next co-stars in Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris." Clearly, the 25-year-old beauty has excellent taste in directors.
Seydoux is represented overseas by United Agents and Adequat.
