Kanye West to Perform 'Mission: Impossible III' Theme

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Feb. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Grammy Award-winner Kanye
West will interpret the theme to "Mission: Impossible III," bringing
his inventive, masterful, and dynamic style to the iconic song. Dubbed
"the smartest man in pop music" in an October '05 TIME Magazine cover
story, West -- who is also nominated for an additional eight GRAMMYs
at the upcoming 48th annual ceremony -- continues the tradition of
groundbreaking and innovative artists performing the classic theme, as
members of U2 did in 1996 for "Mission: Impossible," followed by Limp
Bizkit in 2000 for "M:I-2."

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Tom Cruise said, "As a fan of Kanye's work, I was thrilled at the
prospect of him contributing his talents to 'M:i:III.' We wanted to
take this installment of 'Mission' to the next level and Kanye's music
definitely added to accomplishing that goal. As we've done with the
film, what he's done with the 'Mission' theme is going to blow people
away."

Director J.J. Abrams said, "My goal is to take the 'Mission' franchise
and re-interpret it to make a movie that is familiar, but absolutely
brand new. Kanye has done just that with his version of the classic
Lalo Schifrin theme, and we're thrilled to be working with him."

Producer Paula Wagner added, "With each 'Mission' installment, we have
always put a team together that was representative of the very best at
their respective crafts. With the addition of Kanye West's music to
'M:i:III,' we continue that tradition. His powerful, emotional style
is the perfect complement for the mix of drama and action that is in
this film."

"Mission: Impossible III" stars Tom Cruise and is directed by J.J.
Abrams. The film also stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ving Rhames, Billy
Crudup, Michelle Monaghan, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Keri Russell, Maggie
Q, and Laurence Fishburne. The action thriller was shot on location in
Shanghai, Rome, Berlin, and parts of the United States. "Mission:
Impossible III" is scheduled for release on May 5, 2006.

Tom Cruise returns as Special Agent Ethan Hunt, who faces the mission
of his life in "Mission: Impossible III." Director J.J. Abrams
("Lost," "Alias") brings his unique blend of action and drama to the
billion-dollar franchise.

Paramount Pictures presents a Cruise|Wagner production, "Mission:
Impossible III." The film is directed by J.J. Abrams, from a
screenplay written by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci & J.J. Abrams,
based on the television series created by Bruce Geller. The film is
produced by Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner.

About Paramount Pictures

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