Paula Patton will play the female role in the fourth Mission: Impossible movie.
The Precious actress, who was competing with the likes of Lauren German and Smallville's Kristin Kreuk to win the role, will star as a young operative who works with Tom Cruise's secret agent Ethan Hunt.
Other actors among the cast include Jeremy Renner, Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg.
Brad Bird (The Incredibles) is directing the film for a December 2011 release.