He’s on a mission.

Tom Cruise is reportedly searching for an actor to play a younger version of his “Mission: Impossible” character for the next two installments of the hit action franchise.

According to the Sun, the eighth and ninth movies will take a look back at Ethan’s early life.

“Tom is keen to give Mission: Impossible a fresh take in the next two films and wants to explore a bit of Ethan’s past. They’re going to start looking for a young star to take on the role and they will appear a bit in the next film and then more in the ninth,” a source told the outlet.

Tom Cruise attends the Australian premiere of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” on July 3, 2023,.Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

Tom Cruise in “Mission: Impossible III” in 2006.Paramount/courtesy Everett Collection

Tom Cruise attends the world premiere of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning,” at Via della Conciliazione, in Rome, Italy, June 19, 2023.REUTERS

Tom Cruise in “Mission: Impossible – Fallout.”Photo Credit: Chiabella James

The popular movie franchise currently has seven films out, with an eighth coming. A ninth film has not been officially announced or confirmed.

As to who might win the role as the young Ethan Hunt — and possibly end up on Tom Cruise’s coveted cake list — they said, “It’s very important to Tom that they get the right person. They are seeking a youngster who is completely fresh on the scene and will cause a real stir. It’s a huge role but the hunt is on to see if they can find a young Tom Cruise.”

Cruise, 62, has starred as Ethan Hunt in the “Mission: Impossible” franchise since the first movie came out in 1996. He’s also a producer of the films which follow his character on various action-packed spy missions.

It’s been rumored that the eighth film will be Cruise’s last. His “Top Gun: Maverick” co-star, Glen Powell, 36, has denied the rumors that he’ll replace Cruise.

Tom Cruise, Emmanuelle Beart and Jon Voight in “Mission: Impossible.”©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

Tom Cruise in “Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning.”Christian Black

Hayley Atwell and Tom Cruise in “Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning – Part One.”Christian Black

“The scenes will show Ethan in his early life and explore the things that happened to him before he went on to start working as a spy,” the source told the Sun.

“It is something they’ve not done before with ‘Mission: Impossible’ and so Tom thinks it could be a really interesting tangent for fans.”

The eighth film, “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning,” will be released in May 2025.