Tom Cruise is a living breathing action man as he films daring stunts for Mission: Impossible 4

Tom Cruise showed off why he's one of the highest paid action stars in the world as he filmed some daring stunts in Prague earlier today.

The 48-year-old is currently in the  Czech Republic working on the fourth instalment in his hugely popular Mission: Impossible Franchise.
As well as his impressively limber moves Cruise also showcased his impressive toned physique as he stripped to the waist.

Stunt man: Tom Cruise was in full action man mode as he filmed scenes for Mission: Impossible 4 in Prague earlier today

Cruise looks to be in peak physical condition, with rippling arm muscles, a defined, washboard stomach and a six-pack many men half his age would kill for.
Hanging from wires attached to the waistband of his dark green trousers, Cruise hung onto a pulley as he sped down a zip line that was suspended between buildings.
Reprising his role as secret agent Ethan Hunt, Cruise simulated leaping from the third floor of a building onto a moving truck.

There he goes! Cruise simulated jumping out of a third story building onto a moving truck

Fine form: 48-year-old Cruise showed off some rippling muscles and a toned and taut chest and stomach many men half his age would die for

Hurt Locker star Jeremy Renner will be joining in the action with Cruise this time around, starring as Cruise's number two in the movie.
It has been rumoured that producers are setting Renner up as a possible replacement for Cruise in future Mission instalments, although the mega-star is expected to reprise his Hunt role for the fifth movie.
In addition to Renner, Paula Patton and Josh Holloway have been added to the cast, along with returning cast members Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames.

Meantime, Paramount Pictures was reportedly reconsidering picking up Mission: Impossible 4 based upon the failure of Cruise's last  big action flick, the disastrous Knight and Day.

Hands on: Cruise loves performing his own stunts and says he believes it adds some edge to his movies

Despite some positive reviews for the film, which opened over the summer, it was pretty much universally panned by critics.
But it seems those reports were unfounded, or the studio had a last minute change of heart, as the Mission: Impossible filming giant rolls out around the world.
In addition to filming in Prague, the crew and cast will also stop by Dubai and Vancouver before finishing up in Los Angeles.

Breather: Cruise takes a moment out from his gruelling filming schedule

mid-air: Cruise flies through the air as he leaps onto a moving truck

Cruise first began playing the secret agent in 1996, the franchise has been a box office smash hit over the years.
Mission: Impossible II is one of the top 100 most successful films of all time in the U.S. To date it has made over $215million at the box office.

Cruise is a master of disguise in this new instalment of the hit franchise - dressing as a Russian soldier and in another scene wearing a Bruce Springsteen t-shirt.

Safe landing: Cruise lands onto the roof of the moving truck like a pro, guess he should be by now after filming three other Mission: Impossible movies!

Rollover: Cruise takes a controlled tumble on top of the truck

It's clear from the on-set images that the new instalment is going to offer even more spy adventures and excitement than the first three.
Cruise is known for his love of performing his own stunts, something he thinks brings an extra edge to his roles.

 

'I want to entertain the audience and part of making these movies is doing my own stunts,' he says.
'"I love having the camera right there in front of me, where you can see me holding a shot all the way through.
'I think it adds to the excitement for an audience. It's something that is challenging to do and fun for me.'
Mission: Impossible IV will be released in the U.S. in December 2011.

Fresh faced: Cruise hardly looks a day older than he did when he first started filming Mission: Impossible back fourteen years ago, in 1996