‘Felicity’ actor joins ‘Mission’

Keri Russell, the former star of the WB’s “Felicity” and who can currently be seen on the well-watched TNT miniseries “Into the West,” has accepted the lead female role in “Mission: Impossible 3,” opposite Tom Cruise.

Russell will play a junior agent mentored by Cruise’s character. Scarlett Johansson had been cast in the role, but pulled out of the film last month due to scheduling delays. Russell will be reuniting with director J.J. Abrams, the co-creator of “Felicity.”

Cruise obviously won’t be working with his lady love, Katie Holmes, who was rumored to be under consideration for the part.