Why use a British actor as head of Impossible Mission Force (IMF Secretary) and boss of Tom Cruise in the film?

Rating: 5/10 (27 September 2019)

I have seen this film when it first came out, thought it was of mixed quality, but was definitely impressed with Tom Cruise's jogging on the side of the skyscraper...
Having re-watched the film on TV some time ago, I thought what is the matter with casting directors these days, casting Tom Wilkinson as head of IMF? he has very few lines and his scene doesn't exceed 5 minutes, couldn't this role be played by a veteran American actor, not necessarily an A star but someone among hundreds of US aging semi-retired actors in their fifties or sixties? I have nothing against Tom Wilkinson he is a fine actor in his own right, but really, seeing him here, one only sees "Tom Wilkinson" and not some tough rugged guy who supposedly had previous field "impossible" missions, so, why overlook so much talent out there from Uncle Sam's family who could have been much more credible and perfectly fit the job?