LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - TV veteran Simon Pegg, best known for starring in the indie breakout “Shaun of the Dead,” has signed on to join Tom Cruise in “Mission: Impossible 3,” which is currently shooting in Los Angeles. He will play an ally of Special Agent Ethan Hunt (Cruise).
Directed by J.J. Abrams, “M:I-3″ also stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ving Rhames, Laurence Fishburne, Billy Crudup, Michelle Monaghan, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Keri Russell and Maggie Q.
Pegg’s other film credits include “The Reckoning” and a cameo in “Land of the Dead.” He also co-wrote “Shaun of the Dead.”
Said Abrams: “I’ve been dying to work with Simon since I saw ‘Shaun of the Dead.’ His comedic skill is remarkable; he’s able to be hysterically funny while always seeming 100% real, even when he’s killing zombies with vinyl records.”

Source: Reuters
The film is due in cinemas in May 2006.