Keri Russell joins 'M:I3'

Keri Russell has joined the cast of Mission: Impossible 3.

Russell (We Were Soldiers) will play a trainee agent operating under the guidance of Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise.

Moviehole.net reports that the role was originally intended to be for Scarlett Johansson, whilst Lindsay Lohan and Cruise's partner Katie Holmes have also been linked with the project.

The film's director, J.J. Abrams, has previously worked with Russell on television show Felicity.

Filming will begin next month in Italy.