Hollywood actress Paula Patton has signed up to play the female lead in the new 'Mission: Impossible' sequel.

The 'Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire' actress will play a young operative who works with Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) on his fourth tough assignment, reports contactmusic.com.

The movie will not be called 'Mission: Impossible 4' as producer J. J. Abrams and Cruise think of it as a reboot of the franchise rather than a continuation.

Director Brad Bird is to begin shooting the $140 million project in the autumn, with Jeremy Renner also lined-up to star in the project.

Paula, 34, only began her acting career in 2005, and has since starred in a number of movies including 'Hitch' and 'London', and was most recently seen alongside Queen Latifah and Common in romantic comedy 'Just Wright'.

She is currently filming comedy movie 'Jump the Broom' ahead of her work on the fourth 'Mission: Impossible' movie, which is due for release in December 2011.