The search for a new star to carry Paramount’s latest installment of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise is over. Oscar-nominated star Jeremy Renner, who anchored Kathryn Bigelow’s acclaimed Iraq War drama, “The Hurt Locker,” has been hired to carry on the mantle of international espionage.

Deadline reports that Renner won’t replace, but rather star alongside, Tom Cruise in “Mission: Impossible 4,” which will be directed by Brad Bird (“Ratatouille,” “The Incredibles”) and produced by Cruise and the prolific J.J. Abrams.

“Mission” marks the second major leading role for the 39-year-old star who was recently cast as the superhero Hawkeye in Marvel Studios’ giant ensemble event picture, “The Avengers” (2012), to be directed by Joss Whedon.

Renner’s casting fills the last prominent piece in Paramount’s development of the film, and gives the studio a reliable and respected option to continue the franchise in the future, should Cruise bequeath his primary protagonist status in future films (though Cruise is expected to be back at least for no. 5).

Other top contenders for the role were rising star, Tom Hardy (“Bronson”) and “Star Trek’s” Chris Pine.  Kevin Zegers, Christopher Egan and Anthony Mackie (Renner’s “Hurt Locker” co-star) were also considered.

The script was penned by Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec.

Filming will take place in the U.S., Vancouver, Prague and Dubai.