Production for the upcoming “Mission: Impossible” movie has been put on hold due to the worldwide coronavirus outbreak.
A three-week shoot was set to take place in Venice, Italy, but the country has had a recent surge of coronavirus cases.
The epicenter of the outbreak is in northern Italy, and the number of confirmed cases at least 229 by Monday.
“Out of an abundance of caution for the safety and well-being of our cast and crew, and efforts of the local Venetian government to halt public gatherings in response to the threat of coronavirus, we are altering the production plan for our three-week shoot in Venice,” a Paramount spokesperson said in a statement to The Wrap.
“During this hiatus, we want to be mindful of the concerns of the crew and are allowing them to return home until production starts. We will continue to monitor this situation, and work alongside health and government officials as it evolves,” the official added.
According to the outlet, Cruise had not travelled to the country for the shoot. Italy reported its fifth death from the virus on Monday and it has the most confirmed cases in Europe.
Christopher McQuarrie is once again directing the new “Mission: Impossible” film, in which Cruise is reprising his role of Ethan Hunt. Actors Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg and Rebecca Ferguson are expected to reprise their respective characters in the film, which will be followed by an eighth installment.
The cast also includes newcomers Nicholas Hoult, Shea Whigham, Hayley Atwell and Pom Klementieff.
Paramount will release the next “Mission: Impossible” film for July 23, 2021, while the eighth instalment will bow out on August 5, 2022
