Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise took the reins of the popular American TV show, Mission Impossible, and decided to make a film franchise with the first venture releasing in 1996. Since then, five films in the Mission Impossible franchise have been made and is the 16th-highest-grossing film series of all time, with a worldwide gross of over $3.5 billion to date. The seventh and upcoming film in the franchise, the tentatively titled, Mission: Impossible 7, will see Tom Cruise once again reprising his role as Ethan Hunt and is being directed by Christopher McQuarrie, who helmed the previous two installments, Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation and Mission: Impossible - Fallout.

Mission Impossible 7 shooting stopped due to coronavirus outbreak Tom Cruise

Meanwhile, it has now been revealed that production on Mission: Impossible 7 has been put on hold due to the coronavirus outbreak around the world. A three-week shoot for the film was planned to happen in Venice, Italy, with the team now deciding to not carry forward with filming for a temporary time as a result of the recent surge of coronavirus cases in the country. As on Monday, it has been confirmed that nearly 229 people are dead in Italy due to the outbreak.

Mission Impossible 7 shooting stopped due to coronavirus outbreak Tom Cruise

A spokesperson for Paramount Pictures has now issued a statement saying, "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, the scheduled first leg of an extensive production for Mission: Impossible 7,". The statement further read, "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."

Mission Impossible 7 shooting stopped due to coronavirus outbreak Tom Cruise

Jointly produced by Skydance Media, Bad Robot Productions and TC Productions and being presented by Paramount Pictures, Mission: Impossible 7 will see Tom Cruise sharing screen space alongside Henry Czerny, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, Shea Whigham, Nicholas Hoult in starring roles with the film announced for a July 23, 2021 worldwide theatrical release.

Mission Impossible 7 shooting stopped due to coronavirus outbreak Tom Cruise