CHINESE actress Zhang Jingchu of “Night and Fog” and “Rush Hour III” is to feature opposite Tom Cruise in “Mission: Impossible 5” in an unspecified but crucial role.

    Though an appearance in the 2007 Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker action comedy might not imply it, Zhang is highly regarded in Chinese film circles for her turns in the Tsui Hark film “Seven Swords,” Derek Yee’s “Protégé,” the Ann Hui drama “Night and Fog” and Feng Xiaogang’s 1976 earthquake survival “Aftershock.” The actress has received four Hong Kong Film Award nominations over the last 10 years.

    But neither is she a stranger to action films, with sci-fi action film “City Under Siege” and Andy Lau headliner “Switch” among those made in recent years.

    Set for release Dec. 25, 2015, “Mission: Impossible 5” sees the return of Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, as well as franchise regulars Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames and a rumored reprisal for Paula Patton.

    Rebecca Ferguson (“Hercules”), Alec Baldwin (“30 Rock”) and Simon McBurney (“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”) are among the new faces added for the series’ fifth installment.

    (SD-Agencies)