Tom is keen to give the franchise a ‘fresh start’

TOM CRUISE is on the lookout for a young Ethan Hunt to play the character in his next two Mission: Impossible films.

One of my insiders tells me the Hollywood superstar plans to take fans back into secret agent Ethan’s early life in the eighth and ninth instalments of the action movie series.

Mission: Impossible star Tom Cruise is working on finding a budding young actorCredit: Alamy

Tom is working on finding a budding young actor to take on the role.

The opportunity is undoubtedly huge and would mark the cards of the lucky person who gets the job.

My insider said: “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.

‘Real stir’

“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.

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

Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning is due for release in May.

The seventh movie, Dead Reckoning Part One, did not get the best reception at the box office in 2023.

Tom Cruise relocates to America after half a decade befriending royals and making the UK his home

But earlier this year it was nominated twice at both the Oscars and Film Baftas — no mean feat given how snobby the film world is. Here’s hoping a baby-faced version of Tom can get crowds back into the cinema.

Christina’s pink look is so sweet

Christina Aguilera shows she’s sweet on the festive season as she poses with a giant piece of candyCredit: instagram/xtina

American singer Christina shared snaps from a photoshoot on InstagramCredit: instagram/xtina

CHRISTINA AGUILERA proves she’s sweet on the festive season as she poses with a giant piece of candy.

The American singer shared snaps from a photoshoot on Instagram as she wished fans a merry Christmas.

Christina, who turned 44 last week, showed off newly dyed pink hair and went all-out with her decorations.

That meant she even enjoyed a white Christmas, despite living in Los Angeles.

She created a winter wonderland in her back garden, complete with a snowy slope, so she could go sledging.

It was a balmy high of 20C there yesterday so I hope she made the most of it. I bet that slope is the envy of every child in her neighbourhood.

Michael’s wife tamed wild side

MICHAEL BUBLE says his clean-cut image is not all it seems – and that he used to be a party animal.

The crooner, whose album Christmas is on course to be No1 today, said: “The guy in the suit was a creation of a record company. That thing that your grandma loves – that isn’t me. It never was.

“They’re marketing me as, ‘Your mum will love him. The more cats you have, the more adorable this guy will be’.”

Michael, left, added: “As I look back now, I was just so immature, just so emotionally immature. I was like a kid in a candy store with fame. Like, ‘Oh my God, there’s all this stuff and you can buy the things you want’. I could party too.”

Michael credited his wife, model Luisana Lopilato, for calming him down. He said: “From the moment I met my wife, I became a better man.

“I was just a little lost and had no willpower when it came to control of whatever it was, partying, eating or doing whatever.

“She would say to me, ‘I love you Mike, but I don’t want to be with a drinking man or a drug man or a smoking man or this or that’. She was adamant.”

Matty digs detectoring

Matty Healy and fiancée US model Gabbriette testing out their favourite Christmas gift – a metal detectorCredit: instagram/gabbriette.

AS one quarter of The 1975, Matty Healy has made a fortune.

But that didn’t stop the frontman spending Christmas Day looking for more treasure.

His fiancée, US model Gabbriette, flew to the UK to be with Matty and his mum Denise Welch.

She shared this snap of them testing out their favourite gift – a metal detector.

The couple dug a sizable hole but didn’t reveal whether they struck gold.

Joel still on track with Kylie

I GOT very excited in March when Joel Corry and Kylie Minogue recorded together – but it remains to be seen whether we will ever get to hear the song.

Joel told me in an exclusive chat: “We had such a good couple of days together in the studio in LA. It was really good vibes and the music was great.

“She’s just done her album, so I think they already had a plan for that. And obviously I’m doing my thing as well. But we’re still in touch and I really hope in the future we can get one out together.

“If it’s that song or another one, I don’t know yet. We’ll see what happens. But all I know is that we had a great time together.

“And I really, really respect her massively.

“She’s such a pro. She’s one of the most professional people I’ve ever worked with in my life.”

Brit joy at reunion with estranged son

Britney Spears was reunited with son Jayden for the first time in two yearsCredit: Instagram/britneyspears

BRITNEY SPEARS got her Christmas wish as she was reunited with son Jayden for the first time in two years.

The singer, who has now stepped away from music, became estranged from her two sons after they moved to Hawaii with their dad, Britney’s ex-husband Kevin Federline.

However, relations have thawed recently and she finally met up and shared photos and videos on Instagram.

Alongside the snaps, Britney, who has her own aptly titled 2000 festive song My Only Wish (This Year), wrote: “Best Christmas of my life!!!

“I haven’t seen my boys in 2 years!!! Tears of joy and literally in shock everyday koo koo crazy so in love and blessed!!!

“I’m speechless thank you Jesus!!!”

She only shared photos with Jayden, so it is unclear whether she also saw her eldest son Sean Preston. It comes after Jayden turned 18, which meant she was no longer obligated to pay child support to her ex partner.

That has raised some suspicion with her fans.

But I am remaining optimistic about the reasons behind their reunion and it’s clear Britney is thrilled.

She has not had an easy few years and I am hoping this marks a change of fortunes for her – and finally brings the kids back into her life.

Marvin Humes has all but ruled out having more kids with his telly presenter wife Rochelle.

The JLS singer, who has two daughters and a son with the former Saturdays star, said:

“Will we have any more children?

“I think it’s very unlikely because it’s a lot in our household.

“We are super-lucky and very happy with where we’re at.”