Malta’s about to serve as a backdrop for yet another major blockbuster, with sources revealing to Times of Malta that the next instalment in the Mission: Impossible franchise will be filmed on the islands next October.

Codenamed ‘Scorpio’, this is set to be the eighth film in the beloved action franchise.

Hollywood A-lister Tom Cruise is, once again, taking on the lead role of Ethan Hunt, and will be joined by British cinema legend Simon Pegg and Mission: Impossible veteran Ving Rhames.

Times of Malta revealed that country is expected to double up as South America and between 200 and 300 extras are set to be recruited.

The latest film from the franchise to be released came out in 2018 and was titled ‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’.

Like the last instalment, ‘Scorpio’ is set to be written and directed by award-winning American filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie.

McQuarrie has written and / or directed a plethora of blockbusters – many of which star Tom Cruise in the lead role. These include Top Gun: Maverick (2022), Edge of Tomorrow (2014), and The Mummy (2017).