While there are any number of things to love about this weekend’s theatrical release of Arrival  — and we do offer a few of them in our review of the film  —  one thing that doesn’t always find its way into the buzz is the leading man rehabilitation of Jeremy Renner. Renner has spent so much time the past few years playing interchangeable action figures that we almost forgot his ability as an actor. It’s been a long time since he’s been this likable.

And of course, now that we’ve finally remembered why we like him so much, we’re about to get less of him. In an interview with Collider (via Heroic Hollywood) discussing his upcoming projects, Renner admitted that the extensive production schedule for the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War may put his schedule in jeopardy for Tom Cruise’s next Mission: Impossible sequel. Says Renner:

I’m not sure what’s happening! I know that they’re really wanting to get it going, and I haven’t spoken to Tom about ultimately where it’s at. I know that there might be some conflict with schedules, so I’m not sure what’s going to happen. Avengers is going to eat up a lot of next year — gladly — but I certainly hope that won’t get in the way of Tom and I and the gang getting back together, because I’d love to.

Granted, it’s not as if Renner was a huge part of Mission: Impossible  —  Rogue Nation, so it’s entirely possible that a small appearance shot over a weekend would be enough to keep the continuity in place. The franchise did seem to shift its focus the last time out towards Simon Pegg’s hacker extraordinaire and Rebecca Ferguson’s incredible spy Ilsa Faust, which is probably better for the movies overall, but we’d still be disappointed to lose any of the momentum that the Mission: Impossible series has put together over the past few years.

If nothing else, I am going to use this as my new friendship litmus test for people I’m on the fence about. That coworker who seems OK and keeps inviting you to do stuff outside the office, but you’re just not sure? Ask them if they’d rather see Renner in Mission: Impossible 6 or in Avengers: Infinity War. If they answer wrong, they can be banished to the outer levels of coworker purgatory, constantly being told at the last minute that “something came up” and you won’t be able to make their group outing at the karaoke bar near the office. Jeremy Renner is as good a reason to cripple friendships as any.

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