Laurence Fishburne (Yahoo photo)

BEIJING, June 21 -- J.J. Abrams is close to have Laurence Fishburne and Philip Seymour Hoffman join Tom cruise in Mission: Impossible 3 which is set to start shooting July 18 in Italy, according to today's Hollywood Reporter.

    "M:I-3" has been put on hold for a couple summers already, and production delays caused previously cast stars such as Scarlett Johansson and Carrie-Anne Moss to drop from the film.

    Fishburne, 43, recently starred in the "Matrix" trilogy, "Biker Boyz," "Mystic River" and the remake of "Assault on Precinct 13." He's currently filming "Akeelah and the Bee," reuniting with his "What's Love Got to Do With It?" co-star Angela Bassett.

    Hoffman, 37, last appeared in "Cold Mountain" and "Along Came Polly." His upcoming projects include "Strangers with Candy" and "Capote," in which he plays "In Cold Blood" author Truman Capote.

    The Paramount Pictures project also stars Michelle Monaghan, Ving Rhames, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Keri Russell. Fishburne will play Cruise's mentor; Hoffman will play the villain. "Alias" creator J.J. Abrams is set to direct.

    (Agencies)