Los Angeles, Aug 21 (IANS): A dispute over salary between actor Tom Cruise and production banner Paramount Pictures has reportedly halted pre-production on the upcoming sixth installment of popular “Mission: Impossible” series.

The studio, which was co-financing the movie with Skydance Media, was in the preparation stages for a January 2017 production start and Christopher McQuarrie is writing the script.

According to multiple sources, one of the contentious points is Cruise's back-end profit participation, with the star looking to match or exceed what he is getting paid by Universal for starring in 'The Mummy', which he is currently shooting in London, reports hollywoodreporter.com.

This is the second hiccup this summer for “Mission: Impossible 6”. In July, the project threatened to fall apart over what one source said was script issues. That obstacle pushed a November start into the new year.

“Mission: Impossible 6” is yet to receive a release date.