'Mission Impossible 4' called 'Ghost Protocol': Tom Cruise

Oscar-nominated actor Tom Cruise said on Thursday that he wanted the fourth instalment of action blockbuster Mission Impossible to be known by its subtitle: "Ghost Protocol".

"All I wanted is not to have a number ... I always thought we should have a title aside from Mission Impossible," Cruise told a news conference in Dubai, where he is currently filming.

"It is going to be Mission Impossible and ''Ghost Protocol'' -- that will be the title of this film."

Major parts of the film will be shot in Dubai, but scenes will also be shot in Moscow, Prague and Vancouver, according to Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc.

"Dubai is very cinematic so we are happy to be here," Cruise said.

Dubai is slowly emerging from a debt crisis following a crash of its property market after a global financial downturn. The slowdown led to billions of dollars in project cancellations and thousands of job losses after a construction boom.

The Gulf Arab emirate, a bustling regional trade and tourism hub, is known for its futuristic skyline, including the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa, where some scenes will be shot.

"It's almost like sets that you could never afford, so we're very lucky I think to be the first in really photographing Dubai as Dubai," director Brad Bird said.

Executive producer Jeffrey Chernov told Reuters the producers will have logistical support from the municipality, police and possibly the army.

When asked about the type of stunts that will be used in the film, he said: "Big ones, really big ones."

The cast include Jeremy Renner, nominated for an Oscar for his role in the 2009 war film The Hurt Locker. Other actors include Simon Pegg and Paula Patton.

Animation film director Bird won Academy Awards for the 2004 film The Incredibles and Ratatouille released in 2007.

Cruise is producing the film with JJ Abrams who last teamed up with the actor in 2006 for Mission: Impossible III with Cruise in the role of super agent Ethan Hunt who battles bad guys and saves the world from evil.

Paramount said the film franchise has grossed $2 billion worldwide.