Josh Holloway (Lost) is in final talks to join Brad Bird's upcoming untitled Mission: Impossible sequel/quasi-reboot.  This is the first major studio picture for Holloway since Lost's finale.  Risky Business reports that Holloway was offered larger opportunities but that they conflicted with his shooting schedule on Lost, which filmed in Hawaii.  While I think Holloway is good enough to be leading a major motion picture, hopefully this supporting role is the beginning of a long and successful career movie for the charismatic actor.

Hit the jump for more on the fourth Mission: Impossible, which is slated to open on December 16, 2011.

There's no word on what role Holloway will play in the upcoming film as story details are being kept under wraps.  We do know that this will be a reboot-of-sorts for the franchise as Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt will be teaming-up with a new character played by Jeremy Renner.  The idea is that Renner's character would take over the franchise, although Tom Cruise has given no indication that he plans to leave the series after the fourth film (which is being code-named "Aries").

Other newcomers to the franchise include Paula Patton (Precious), Vladimir Mashkov (Behind Enemy Lines), and Michael Nyqvist (2009's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo).  Returning cast members include Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg.

Directed by Brad Bird (The Incredibles), the production is currently scouting locations in Prague, Dubai, and Vancouver and is aiming to start shooting in December.  J.J. Abrams is producing and worked on the story with screenwriters Andre Nemec and Josh Appelbaum (Alias).