Actor Nicholas Hoult has dropped out of the next instalment of "Mission: Impossible" film franchise due to scheduling conflicts. Hoult, who was set to portray the villain in Tom Cruise's much-awaited "Mission: Impossible 7", has been replaced by actor Esai Morales.

"Mission: Impossible 7", which also marks the return of Hollywood superstar Cruise as Ethan Hunt, was being shot in Venice when the shutdown directive was issued due to the coronavirus pandemic.