When I asked Tom Cruise about the likelihood of a fifth Mission: Impossible he responded, “If Xenu wills it, it shall come to pass.” At that point he removed his bomber jacket to reveal the jet pack he had strapped on and flew off into the heavens.

At least I’d like to assume that’s what would happen if I ever spoke with Tom Cruise. As we learn in his sitdown with Total Film, the reality is actually far less exciting. Still, the once and future Ethan Hunt manages to throw down his thoughts on a follow-up to the very excellent Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol:

“It’s been pretty exciting. I’ll make a bunch of those. I’ll make as many as people want to see… because they’re very challenging, and so much fun to make.”

Any ideas for the plot and set-pieces? “We’re already working on different images. Talking conceptually. I love travelling around promoting different movies because I’m always looking at different places, and I always walk around to see the city. I look at architecture, subways… coming up with different sequences.”

I thought the franchise had an excellent start, experienced a lull in the second and third, and unleashed a bona fide classic in their fourth time at bat. The difficulty in following up the fourth M:I is in finding as inspired a choice as Brad Bird proved to be in his live action debut. The setpieces Cruise is scouring for only matter if there’s a team that knows how to shoot them. It’s looking increasingly likely that Bird is moving on to 1952 with Damon Lindelof, thus excusing him from the running.

So the question is, who would you like to see direct the next Mission: Impossible?