Oddsmakers are offering even money on Brad Pitt replacing Tom Cruise' role in "Mission Impossible".  A $100 bet would pay out $100.  But Brad Pitt is a favorite not to replace Cruise at -130 (you would have to bet $130 to win $100). 

You can place your bets at

Extra! has reported that the rumors involving Brad Pitt taking over the "Mission Impossible" role are untrue, though there are reasons why these rumors have surfaced to begin with.

"Word shot all across Hollywood Tuesday that Paramount Studios is courting superstar Brad Pitt to take over the lucrative "Mission Impossible" franchise, which recently cut ties with Tom Cruise.

"The deal would have reportedly made Brad Hollywood's highest paid actor with a $40 million paycheck.

"We went straight to our sources at the studio, as wells as Brad's reps, to get the bottom of the "MI:4" buzz.

"And, sorry ladies, we were told no, the story isn't true. While Brad's production company is based at Paramount, he has several other movies in the works."
 

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Sparky Collins, www.gambling911.com

Originally published September 19, 2006 11:30 pm ET