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More insight on the Germany/Valkyrie production story Posted: 29 Jun 2007 09:16 AM CDT So what exactly is all the fuss about? Read the following and see where the story comes from. Germany now would welcome Tom Cruise production COLOGNE, Germany (Hollywood Reporter) - The German Defense Ministry is scrambling to qualify its stance on the Tom Cruise World War Two thriller “Valkyrie,” saying Thursday that, despite reports to the contrary, it has no opposition to the film shooting in Germany. News reports earlier this week had started officials would ban “Valkyrie” from shooting at German military sites because of star Cruise’s belief in Scientology. The ministry now says that, while it hasn’t received an official request from “Valkyrie” producers United Artists to shoot in the country, it would “look agreeably” upon any such application. The producers have expressed interest in shooting at the Bendlerblock memorial in Berlin. It is the actual location where Stauffenberg and his fellow conspirators hatched the plot to assassinate Hitler with a bomb hidden in a briefcase. It also is where Stauffenberg and the other plotters were executed after the attempt failed. Now a memorial site, the Bendlerblock also houses part of the Defense Ministry. The Defense Ministry said Thursday that it wasn’t even responsible for approving film shoots at Bendlerblock because they are only tenants on the land. The location is under the authority of Germany’s Finance Ministry, a Defense Ministry spokesman said. The source of the “Valkyrie” controversy seems to have stemmed from a posting on the Web site of conservative German member of parliament Antje Blumenthal. Blumenthal posted a statement Friday claiming that Defense Minister Franz-Josef Jung had pledged to her that Cruise would not get permission to shoot because of the purported danger posed by his Scientology. [RTE.ie adds: Conservative German member of parliament Antje Blumenthal, an outspoken opponent of Scientology, claimed on her website that Defence Minister Franz-Josef Jung had said that such a film involving Cruise could not be made at his Ministry - where Stauffenberg’s offices were and where he was shot after the plot failed. A Defence Ministry spokesman said that the moviemakers had not asked to film in his ministry’s areas, and said if they did, the application would be considered like any other.” - end of quote from RTE.ie] Blumenthal is a cult expert for the conservative CDU/CSU party and a longtime opponent of Scientology. The German government does not recognize Scientology as a religion and sees it instead as a dangerous cult, which brainwashes and exploits its members. Scientology is under official observation by Germany authorities as a potentially threat to German democracy, putting the organization on par with neo-Nazi groups. Germany’s film industry, however, has embraced the “Valkyrie” project. The heads of Studio Babelsberg, Christoph Fisser and Carl Woebcken, on Thursday praised “Valkyrie” as one of the “too few examples of military opposition to Hitler’s regime.” Fisser and Woebcken are in negotiations with United Artists to join the project as co-producers. If UA executives reach a deal, “Valkyrie” could begin shooting at Babelsberg next month. “The assassination attempt against Hitler is hardly known outside Germany,” Fisser said. “We should therefore be delighted and welcome this wonderful opportunity to improve the image of our country.” (Reuters/Hollywood Reporter, ABC)

Tom Cruise is finally shown the money Posted: 29 Jun 2007 05:47 AM CDT Nikki Finke reports on her “Deadline Hollywood Daily” page the following: “I’m told Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner have completed that $500 million production financing arranged by Merrill Lynch for United Artists. (This had been in the works for months and months.) There should be an announcement before the end of June. As I first reported on Sunday, their new campaign to raise the profile of UA continues. The latest: Cruise and Wagner will make an “unannounced” stop at the European exhibitors confab Cinema Expo in Holland today to unveil a 5½-minute clip of Robert Redford’s Lions for Lambs, the company’s first release that also stars Tom.” Note from Chantal: Of course Tom’s visit is already in the past, see the news and pictures posted earlier by me and Des.

Germany says ‘Valkyrie’ not banned Posted: 29 Jun 2007 05:40 AM CDT Ministry would welcome Cruise’s WWII film BERLIN — Despite calls by some German officials to ban Bryan Singer’s World War II drama “Valkyrie” from shooting at government locations — due to Tom Cruise’s ties to Scientology — the project is getting plenty of support from the local film industry and looks likely to get the greenlight from authorities to film at historical sites here. In the film, penned by Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander, Cruise is set to play German officer Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg, a national hero who was executed in 1944 for attempting to assassinate Adolf Hitler in a plot code-named Valkyrie. Cruise talked up the project at length at Cinema Expo in Amsterdam, where the new UA made its first presentation to attendees, but didn’t refer to the ruckus in Germany. “It is a very powerful film in a very crucial moment in history about the resistance in Germany against the Nazi regime,” Cruise said. “This man had incredible integrity … a real hero. I have great admiration for him and what they tried to do.” The courtyard in which Stauffenberg and his fellow conspirators were shot is now a memorial, but the building in which it’s located, the Bendlerblock, also houses part of the German Ministry of Defense. That, and not Cruise’s affiliation to Scientology, poses the main hurdle to a film permit for Singer and his crew, according to Dirk Kuehnau, head of the Bundesanstalt fuer Immobilienaufgaben (BIMA), the company in charge of government buildings. “In this country, we have constitutionally guaranteed rights,” Kuehnau said. “Articles four and five of the constitution protect freedom of faith and creed and freedom of expression. I don’t think those rights would be denied a film actor.” If anything, it would be the lights and cables and camera teams that could disrupt work at the Defense Ministry, Kuehnau said, adding that if an arrangement is found where filming does not interfere with government business, a filming permit should be no problem. Contrary to earlier reports, the defense minister has not banned the project from shooting at the site. In fact, the Defense Ministry, which would lease the building, does not have the right to grant or reject filming permits — that is up to BIMA. Recent reports of government opposition to the film were triggered by Antje Blumenthal, a member of the Bundestag and cult expert for the conservative CDU/CSU party, who said she had been assured by Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung that the film would not be allowed to shoot at the site, due to the alleged danger posed by Scientology. The German government does not recognize Scientology as a religion, and sees it as a dangerous cult with totalitarian aims as well as an exploitative, profit-based business. For the local industry, however, Singer’s project is more of a godsend. Studio Babelsberg toppers Christoph Fisser and Carl Woebcken are in negotiations with Gil Adler and Paula Wagner of United Artists to come aboard the film as co-production partners. Fisser praised the project, saying there are sadly far too few examples of the military opposition to Hitler’s regime during the war. “The assassination attempt against Hitler is hardly known outside Germany. We should therefore be delighted and welcome this wonderful opportunity to improve the image of our country.” (Leo Barraclough and Archie Thomas in Amsterdam contributed to this report.) (Variety)

Tom in Holland promoting Lions for Lambs and pictures Posted: 29 Jun 2007 12:32 AM CDT Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS: US actor Tom Cruise visits the Cinema Expo International in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 28 June 2007. Cruise is in Holland to promote his latest movie Lions for Lambs. Cruise received traditional Dutch wooden shoes as a gift from fans. AFP PHOTO/ANP PHOTO ROBERT VOS NETHERLANDS OUT (Photo credit should read ROBERT VOS/AFP/Getty Images) (Source: Getty Images) More pictures added: Holland - Promoting Lions for Lambs Medical Center in Beverly Hills Out in Hollywood / Baseball Game (March 22, 2006) Baseball Game (L.A. - March 19, 2006) Softball Game (Beverly Hills - March 18, 2006)

Germany now would welcome Tom Cruise production Posted: 28 Jun 2007 11:00 PM CDT By Scott Roxborough Thu Jun 28, 6:01 PM ET COLOGNE, Germany (Hollywood Reporter) - The German Defense Ministry is scrambling to qualify its stance on the Tom Cruise World War Two thriller “Valkyrie,” saying Thursday that, despite reports to the contrary, it has no opposition to the film shooting in Germany. News reports earlier this week had started officials would ban “Valkyrie” from shooting at German military sites because of star Cruise’s belief in Scientology. The ministry now says that, while it hasn’t received an official request from “Valkyrie” producers United Artists to shoot in the country, it would “look agreeably” upon any such application. The film, slated for a 2008 release, tells the true story of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Cruise), the leader of a failed German military plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler in 1944. The film’s title comes from Operation Valkyrie, the plot’s code name. The producers have expressed interest in shooting at the Bendlerblock memorial in Berlin. It is the actual location where Stauffenberg and his fellow conspirators hatched the plot to assassinate Hitler with a bomb hidden in a briefcase. It also is where Stauffenberg and the other plotters were executed after the attempt failed. Now a memorial site, the Bendlerblock also houses part of the Defense Ministry. The Defense Ministry said Thursday that it wasn’t even responsible for approving film shoots at Bendlerblock because they are only tenants on the land. The location is under the authority of Germany’s Finance Ministry, a Defense Ministry spokesman said. The source of the “Valkyrie” controversy seems to have stemmed from a posting on the Web site of conservative German member of parliament Antje Blumenthal. Blumenthal posted a statement Friday claiming that Defense Minister Franz-Josef Jung had pledged to her that Cruise would not get permission to shoot because of the purported danger posed by his Scientology. Blumenthal is a cult expert for the conservative CDU/CSU party and a longtime opponent of Scientology. The German government does not recognize Scientology as a religion and sees it instead as a dangerous cult, which brainwashes and exploits its members. Scientology is under official observation by Germany authorities as a potentially threat to German democracy, putting the organization on par with neo-Nazi groups. Germany’s film industry, however, has embraced the “Valkyrie” project. The heads of Studio Babelsberg, Christoph Fisser and Carl Woebcken, on Thursday praised “Valkyrie” as one of the “too few examples of military opposition to Hitler’s regime.” Fisser and Woebcken are in negotiations with United Artists to join the project as co-producers. If UA executives reach a deal, “Valkyrie” could begin shooting at Babelsberg next month. “The assassination attempt against Hitler is hardly known outside Germany,” Fisser said. “We should therefore be delighted and welcome this wonderful opportunity to improve the image of our country.” Reuters/Hollywood Reporter (Source: Yahoo)

Cruise schmoozes at Cinema Expo Posted: 28 Jun 2007 05:58 PM CDT Actor, Wagner tubthump for ‘Lions,’ ‘Valkyrie’ Cinema Expo went out with a bang as Tom Cruise made his first trip here for UA’s presentation to Euro exhibs while Universal took the limelight Thursday morning. Cruise and Paula Wagner came to Amsterdam to introduce international exhibs to what Wagner described as the “newly rejuvenated” United Artists, and tubthump for the first two pics on the slate, “Lions for Lambs” and “Valkyrie.” UA plans to release four to six films a year. Although the pair revealed no new projects, Wagner told exhibs to save a space for UA’s upcoming slate. “We are working on a number of other wonderful projects so please set aside some playing time for us,” she said. Both Wagner and Cruise referred to UA’s history and promised to live up to it. “The goals that we have and the kind of pictures that we are interested in making I hope will represent the great history of what United Artists has stood for,” Cruise said. Wagner promised the new UA’s slate would be as varied as that of the old UA. “We want to make a diverse slate of movies from action, thrillers to romantic comedies and everything in between,” she said. Cruise spoke to delegates at length about helmer Bryan Singer’s “Valkyrie,” which begins principal photography in Germany in mid-July. Cruise plays the leader of a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler in 1944. However, he made no reference to reports that permit holdups are because of his affiliation to Scientology. “It is a picture that when I was reading it, my hands started sweating,” Cruise said. “It was incredibly exciting and compelling.” The script was written by Christopher McQuarrie (”The Usual Suspects”) and newcomer Nathan Alexander. Cruise’s high praise for popular Dutch thesp Carice van Houten (”Black Book”), with whom he co-stars in “Valkyrie,” drew whoops of approval from local industryites. Cruise envisages the pic will be in theaters in “one and a half years.” The UA presentation closed with the first public screening of footage from “Lions for Lambs,” which is released worldwide on Nov. 9. Attendees were treated to 5½ minutes of footage from the Robert Redford helmed pic about the war on terror, which Wagner described as “a powerful and emotional story about courage, sacrifice and the human consequences of a complicated war that has divided our world.” Cruise paid tribute to Redford. “He is a cinema icon and a legend and he has really changed cinema, the way pictures are looked at and released.” (…) Expo organizers report that attendance for this edition is up 10% on the 1,250 delegates who registered in 2006. (Variety). Dutch entertainment program RTL Boulevard has a video of Tom at the Expo, click here to watch it! (The presenter of the show introduces the video clip by saying Tom’s here to promote his new movie Lions for Lambs but all the presenter wanted to know if Tom knows Carice van Houten and if he had met her). On their site a summary of his visit, (translated): Tom Cruise hasn’t let his Dutch fans down today. The 44-year old superstar arrived with three black limousines at the Amsterdam RAI, where he held a speech for its fifteenth edition of the Cinema Expo International, Europe’s greatest gathering of the film- and theatre industry. More than one hundred admirers of the actor came to the congress centre to catch a glimpse of their idol. Cruise, who ignored the mass of gathered press, really appreciated that and spend more than half an hour signing autograph after autograph and let his fans take pictures of them. Dressed in a slim, black tuxedo, shiny leather shoes and dark sunglasses he looked like a true megastar. Not until a reporter handed him some wooden shoes for his wife Katie Holmes and their daughter Suri, Cruise paid some attention to the journalists. He was eager to accept the wooden shoes. To the question how Suri is doing he answered she’s great. He didn’t meet Carice van Houten, who will play Cruise’s wife in the movie ‘Valkyrie’, yet, he told reporters. But he did see her work and named her a great actress. He also said he was sorry not to have visited The Netherlands before, since it’s such a great country. At the expo, where important productions like ‘Evan Almighty’ and ‘Surf’s up’ are presented, Cruise speaks about his new movie ‘Lions for lambs’, which is directed by Robert Redford. Next to Cruise and Redford there’s a part for Meryl Streep in the movie, which will be in Dutch theatres this November. People also mentioned Tom’s visit to Amsterdam: “Cruise, who spent last week in the French Riviera with Holmes and daughter Suri, 1, was in the Dutch capital promoting his drama Lions for Lambs on the final day of Europe’s Cinema Expo movie-distributors’ convention. Accompanied by his producing partner Paula Wagner, Cruise showed a five-minute clip of the movie, in which he plays a congressman opposite Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. The actor, wearing a black suit and sunglasses, spent only a few hours in Amsterdam, spending almost an hour signing autographs, taking pictures and joking with fans – even signing one admirer’s forehead. He laughed when local reporters gave him three pairs of traditional Dutch wooden clogs – two adult-size pairs and one tiny set. “Are the others for Katie and Suri? Thank you!” he said. Cruise said he couldn’t figure out why he hadn’t been to Amsterdam before, adding: “It’s beautiful.” “

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Cruise’s Scientology Stirs Ire in Berlin Posted: 27 Jun 2007 03:46 PM GMT-06:00 BERLIN (AP) — Two hot-button issues in Germany - the Nazi era and Scientology - are being pushed simultaneously by a new film in which Tom Cruise plays the country’s most-famous anti-Hitler plotter, sparking controversy in Berlin. Cruise, one of Scientology’s best-known adherents, is to play Col. Claus Graf Schenk von Stauffenberg - the aristocratic army officer executed after a failed attempt to assassinate Hitler in 1944 - in director Bryan Singer’s new film “Valkyrie.” The film’s German co-producers say they were given permission to use the former German general staff headquarters in Berlin, where Stauffenberg worked and where he was executed, and that they plan a detailed, historically accurate treatment. But word that a Scientologist would play Stauffenberg has rubbed some the wrong way. Germany’s government considers Scientology a commercial enterprise that takes advantage of vulnerable people, and critics maintain that one of its adherents should not be playing one of the Nazi-era’s few heroes. Stauffenberg “is to be played by an actor whose sect, through dubious methods, attempts to lure people and make them pliable,” Social Democratic lawmaker Klaus Uwe Benneter said on his Web site. “This is a slap in the face to all upstanding democrats, all resistance fighters during the Third Reich, and all victims of the Scientology sect.” Sabine Weber, a spokeswoman for Scientology in Berlin, said she was “shocked” that politicians would speak out against Cruise starring in the movie, saying that it was a “call to discrimination” against someone because of religious beliefs, which violates German and European human-rights codes. The film’s producers maintain the criticism is misguided, accusing politicians of making hay of a non-issue. “Basically, some politicians are using the popularity of Tom Cruise to become popular themselves,” Carl Woebcken, head of the Babelsberg studio that is slated to co-produce the film in Germany, told The Associated Press on Wednesday. “This is not a Scientology film, it is a Bryan Singer film, and Bryan Singer is Jewish … and they want to make this film to show that during the Nazi regime there was heroic resistance,” Woebcken said. “The personal beliefs of Tom Cruise have to be separated from his skills as an actor. He is one of the best, if not the best, actors in the world for heroic roles and that is why Bryan Singer approached him.” United Artists called its film “a historically accurate thriller” and said in a statement that “Mr. Cruise’s personal beliefs have absolutely no bearing on the movie’s plot, themes or content.” Germany’s federal agency that tracks extremism has had Scientology under observation for a decade on allegations that it “threatens the peaceful democratic order” of the country. The Scientologists long have battled to end the surveillance, saying it is an abuse of their right to freedom of religion, and the U.S. State Department regularly criticizes Germany in its annual Human Rights Report for the monitoring practice. Stauffenberg’s son Berthold Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg has spoken out against Cruise playing the role, telling the Sueddeutsche Zeitung that “he should keep his fingers off my father,” and adding that he feared the movie would be “terrible kitsch.” Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung was quoted as saying such a film involving Cruise could not be made at his Ministry - the same building where Stauffenberg kept his offices and was dragged into the courtyard and shot after his plot failed. But, Woebcken noted, the film company had not asked to film at the part of the Defense Ministry building occupied by the military, and already has preliminary permission from other agencies to film at the area where Stauffenberg’s offices were, and where he was executed. A Defense Ministry spokesman confirmed that the moviemakers had not asked to film in his ministry’s areas, and said if they did, the application would be considered like any other. Stauffenberg and the other plotters were caught and executed after Hitler survived the explosion at his headquarters in what was then East Prussia. Woebcken said authorities should be welcoming the decision to shoot the film at original locations. “The Defense Ministry … says that if a Stauffenberg film is done, it has to be authentic, and for exactly that reason United Artists wants to do the film in Berlin in the original places,” he said. “Otherwise they could have done the film anywhere in the world.” “Valkyrie” is scheduled for release in 2008. (Columbian.com)

Tom Cruise Responds To Filming Ban By The German Defense Ministry Posted: 27 Jun 2007 03:32 PM GMT-06:00 Tom Cruise has responded to the German Defense Ministry after they banned the actor from shooting his new movie, “Valkyrie,” on military bases where part of the plot takes place. On Monday, Defense Ministry spokesperson Harald Kammerbauer said the movie star would not be given permission to shoot at the German sites because of his involvement with Scientology. German Defense Minister Franz-Josef Jung had also noted that Cruise would take away from an “authentic portrayal” of the incidents that occurred during Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg’s failed assassination bombing plot against Adolf Hitler in World War II. However, Cruise, who has been a Scientology member for years, says his performance as Stauffenberg will not be affected by his religious beliefs. Paula Wagner, the actor’s producing partner and United Artists CEO, is quoted as saying by StarPulse, “Aside from his obvious admiration of the man he is portraying, Mr. Cruise’s personal beliefs have absolutely no bearing on the movie’s plot, themes, or content. And even though we could shoot the movie anywhere in the world, we believe Germany is the only place we can truly do the story justice.” “Valkyrie” is still scheduled to begin filming next month. (AllHeadlineNews.com, June 26, 2007) Cruise responds to German filming ban Latest: Tom Cruise has vowed Scientology will have no impact on his portrayal of a legendary German assassin, after being banned from filming at the country’s military bases because of his controversial beliefs. The actor is set to begin shooting Valkyrie in Germany this summer (07). In the film he plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, leader of an unsuccessful plot to kill Adolf Hitler during World War II. However, permission to film scenes on genuine army sites has been denied by the country’s Defence Ministry because Scientology is viewed as a “money-making cult” instead of legitimate church by the German government. However, Cruise is adamant his beliefs have nothing to do with characterisation, and is desperate to shoot the movie on location in von Stauffenberg’s homeland. His producing partner and United Artists CEO Paula Wagner says, “Aside from his obvious admiration of the man he is portraying, Mr. Cruise’s personal beliefs have absolutely no bearing on the movie’s plot, themes, or content. “And even though we could shoot the movie anywhere in the world, we believe Germany is the only place we can truly do the story justice.” Von Stauffenberg’s briefcase bomb in 1944 only succeeded in wounding Hitler. He was executed by firing squad for the plot the next morning. (ContactMusic.com

Tom to promote ‘Lions’ at Cinema Expo in Amsterdam Posted: 27 Jun 2007 03:04 PM GMT-06:00 Tom comes to Holland! Tom will pay a quick visit to the Cinema Expo International at the ‘RAI’ in Amsterdam (The Netherlands) to promote his latest movie ‘Lions for Lambs”, as confirmed this Tuesday by the organisation of the expo. Cinema Expo International, held from June 25th untill 28th, is the only international convention and trade show dedicated to the European cinema exhibition and distribution community. ‘Lions for lambs’ is a drama, directed by Robert Redford, and takes place partly in Afghanistan. Tom plays an American congres man. The movie will be in Dutch theaters in November. (RTL Boulevard) Cruise bears ‘Lions’ at Cinema Expo Tom Cruise may have been shunned by the German government this week, but he is welcome in Holland. Cruise and partner Paula Wagner will make an unannounced stop at the European exhibitors confab Cinema Expo to unveil a first look at fare from the new United Artists: a 5½-minute clip of Robert Redford’s “Lions for Lambs,” the company’s first release. The duo also will tubthump “Valkyrie,” the WWII thriller that the German Defense Ministry has prohibited from shooting at military sites in the country due to the actor’s ties to the Church of Scientology. The Cinema Expo stop will be Cruise’s first at the event, which is in its 16th year. Dennis Rice, UA president of worldwide marketing and publicity, is convinced the controversy won’t derail UA’s European launch. “It hasn’t affected our focus at all. We are excited about ‘Lions for Lambs’ and ‘Valkyrie.’ ” Rice added, “Cinema Expo is a great place to launch United Artists to the European marketplace. We recognize that this is increasingly a worldwide business, and Cinema Expo is as important, if not more important, than the other tradeshows.” Last year, 1,250 people attended. No figures are available yet for this year. (Variety)

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Germany bans Cruise film shoot from military sites Posted: 25 Jun 2007 01:25 PM CDT “BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany has barred the makers of a movie about a plot to kill Adolf Hitler from filming at German military sites because its star Tom Cruise is a Scientologist, the Defense Ministry said on Monday. ADVERTISEMENT Cruise, also one of the film’s producers, is a member of the Church of Scientology which the German government does not recognize as a church. Berlin says it masquerades as a religion to make money, a charge Scientology leaders reject. The U.S. actor has been cast as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, leader of the unsuccessful attempt to assassinate the Nazi dictator in July 1944 with a bomb hidden in a briefcase. Defense Ministry spokesman Harald Kammerbauer said the film makers “will not be allowed to film at German military sites if Count Stauffenberg is played by Tom Cruise, who has publicly professed to being a member of the Scientology cult.” “In general, the Bundeswehr (German military) has a special interest in the serious and authentic portrayal of the events of July 20, 1944 and Stauffenberg’s person,” Kammerbauer said. Cruise’s publicists could not be reached for comment. Stauffenberg had been deeply opposed to the Nazis’ treatment of the Jews and planted a briefcase bomb under a table near Hitler in his “Wolf’s Lair” headquarters on July 20, 1944. The bomb went off but only wounded the Fuehrer. The film, slated for a 2008 release and to be directed by Bryan Singer and co-starring Kenneth Branagh, is called “Valkyrie” after Operation Valkyrie, the plot’s codename. The main site of interest would be the “Bendlerblock” memorial inside the Defense Ministry complex in Berlin. This is where Stauffenberg and his co-conspirators hatched the plot and where he and his closest comrades were executed when it failed. Kammerbauer said the ministry had not yet received official filming requests from the producers of “Valkyrie.” ” Source

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Tom & Suri leaving the Eden Roch Hotel Posted: 22 Jun 2007 09:48 PM CDT Added pictures of Tom & Suri leaving the Eden Roch Hotel on their way to the airport. View them here. (Thanks Mariana)

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Entertainment Tonight Video Posted: 21 Jun 2007 11:46 PM GMT-06:00 I’ve uploaded the video of tonight’s Entertainment Tonight where they show the first glimpse of “Lions for Lambs”, and also a bit about Tom & Katie visit to France for the wedding or James Packer and Erika Baxter. Thanks Gertie for the video! Screencaps can be found here.

More Pictures Posted: 21 Jun 2007 09:34 PM GMT-06:00 More pictures of Tom & Katie in France! Again, thanks Mariana. James Packer and Erica Baxter Weddin Ceremony - June 21, 2007 Tom and Katie spending time with Suri at the beach in France

Tom Cruise Buys LA Galaxy For 60 Million Euros Posted: 21 Jun 2007 03:12 PM GMT-06:00 “Tom Cruise, according to the media there, is buying the club in which his good friend David Beckham will play, for 60 million euros The Hollywood star, unlike most Americans, is a great lover of football, and it is his wish to financially help the Los Angeles club, LA Galaxy. - If Tom buys us, it will be a great incentive for us. There is no chance that the chiefs of Galaxy would turn down an offer like that – said a high official in the club. (more…)

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And More pics Posted: 21 Jun 2007 12:00 AM CDT Tom & Katie have been busy in France. And they look so beautiful! Pictures from: (Thanks Mariana) Tom and Katie spending time with Suri at the beach in France James Packer and Erica Baxter Wedding - June 20, 2007 Cap d'Antibes Tom & Suri take a walk in the Eden Roch Hotel

More Pictures Posted: 20 Jun 2007 11:51 AM CDT I’ve added some more pictures of Tom & Katie at the Beach, and the Dinner for David Beckham. I’ve also updated the Updates Notifier script. Let me know of any errors And, if you’ve subscribed and you’re not getting updates, subscribe again, please. And make sure you activate the subscription by clicking on the activation link that is sent to your address!

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Lions for Lambs first sneak peek! Posted: 20 Jun 2007 07:05 AM GMT-06:00 Entertainment Tonight will have the first scenes from Lions for Lambs this thursday. Here is preview video. Thanks architect!

Branagh, Izzard, Nighy and Wilkinson to Join Tom Cruise for WWII Film “Valkyrie” Posted: 19 Jun 2007 11:05 PM GMT-06:00 By Adam Hetrick 19 Jun 2007 A host of theatre veterans are set to join Tom Cruise in the upcoming World War II drama “Valkyrie.” According to Variety, Kenneth Branagh, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy, Carice Van Houten and Eddie Izzard will take part in the film, based on a true story, about a German general’s attempt to assassinate Hitler. Bryan Singer directs the production, which is scheduled to begin filming in Berlin July 19. Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander co-wrote the screenplay for United Artists. Nighy was recently seen on Broadway opposite Julianne Moore in David Hare’s The Vertical Hour. Eddie Izzard, who was last seen on Broadway in A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, has numerous London stage credits including the title role in the Lenny Bruce musical Lenny and David Mamet’s Cryptogram. Among Branagh’s theatrical credits are the successful London production and Broadway transfer of The Play What I Wrote, which he directed, as well as David Mamet’s Edmond, in which he appeared on the London Stage. Carice Van Houten has won numerous awards for her stage and television work in her native Netherlands. Tom Wilkinson, a RADA member and award-winning actor for his stage work in Ghosts and An Enemy of the People, is best known for his Academy Award-nominated work in “The Full Monty” and “In the Bedroom.” (Source: Playbill) Casting Call: Tom Cruise’s New Leading Lady Tom Cruise gets a new leading lady! Carice Van Houten has signed on to star opposite Tom Cruise in “Valkyrie,” the World War II-set feature film, per The Hollywood Reporter. Story is based on true-life attempts to assassinate Adolf Hitler during the height of WWII. Also joining Cruise and Van Houten in the cast are Tom Wilkinson and Kenneth Branagh. This will mark the first U.S. feature role for Van Houten, who has starred in several European films. She will play the love interest to Cruise’s main character. (Source: Access Hollywood) Van Houten joins Cruise for ‘Valkyrie’ By Tatiana Siegel and Borys Kit June 19, 2007 Carice Van Houten is set to play the female lead opposite Tom Cruise in Bryan Singer’s “Valkyrie” for United Artists. Tom Wilkinson also has joined the World War II-set drama. Penned by Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander, the story is based on the true-life attempts to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Kenneth Branagh already has joined the cast. Singer, Paula Wagner and McQuarrie are producing the film, which will begin shooting in July in Berlin. Van Houten, who will play the love interest to Cruise’s character in the film, enjoyed a breakout performance in Paul Verhoeven’s Nazi drama “Black Book.” The classically trained actress also is a theater veteran in her native Netherlands. She is repped by CAA. Wilkinson, whose recent credits include “Batman Begins,” “Separate Lies” and “The Exorcism of Emily Rose,” was nominated for an Academy Award for 2002’s “In the Bedroom.” He is repped by Lou Coulson in the U.K. and Larry Taube at Principal Entertainment. (Source: Hollywood Reporter)

Tom Cruise on Packer love boat Posted: 19 Jun 2007 11:00 PM GMT-06:00 By Fiona Hudson and Paul Kent June 20, 2007 12:00am A FLOTILLA of “love boats” last night carried James Packer and Erica Baxter’s wedding guests to a private beach party in the south of France. Seven luxury Mangusta cruisers – each with blue and white flags with the initials E & J flown at half mast – ferried guests including TV star Eddie McGuire and PBL head John Alexander to a secluded beach near St Jean Cap Ferrat, where they met up with Tom Cruise and family. Cruise and wife Katie appeared happily in love throughout the five hour party, parading their baby Suri and posing on a wharf for family shots. Ms Holmes drew admiring glances from the French paparazzi as she stripped to a black one-piece bathing suit, revealing a super-buffed body. The party was the latest event in a week-long $6 million celebration, with the couple tipped to marry late tonight Sydney time. Mr Packer and bride-to-be Erica went ahead of the main group on News Corporation board member Lachlan Murdoch’s boat, with Ms Baxter looking radiant in a silky green sun dress. Each wedding guest has been issued with a canvas beach tote branded with two kissing sea-horses and containing a black towel and white towel monogrammed with Erica and James’s names, and a small parasol to protect from the sun as temperatures hit 30C. Dozens of party-goers, including Shane Warne and wife Simone, had to catch a mini-van after space ran out on the boats. Hollywood superstar Cruise, wife Katie and their young daughter Suri were driven to the party in a luxury silver car, zooming out the front gate of the Hotel du Cap Eden Roc where many of the guests are staying. Mr Packer, his bride to be and their sea-going guests struggled to reach the beach party after their giant boats couldn’t dock in choppy seas after a rough 40-minute ride. Weather forecasters had predicted perfect conditions but a sudden wind change threw plans into disarray. The group had to land at a small nearby port before being driven to the party. Security at the small, pebbled beach was tight, with French police stopping cars on the approach road and private security keeping a close eye on any boats trying to navigate near the coast. Small tents dotted the beach, and there were white beds and tables set as if for a giant, relaxed “love-in”. A housekeeper in the nearest home to the beach said the sprawling property was owned by an Australian but would not reveal the owner’s identity. (Source: The Daily Telegraph) Cruise family joins Packer celebrations By Valkerie Mangnall Tom Cruise, wife Katie Holmes and their daughter, Suri, joined in the wedding celebrations for James Packer and Erica Baxter in the French Riviera. The Cruise family were at the exclusive Hotel du Cap Eden Roc, which Mr Packer has hired out for the wedding party and guests ahead of the nuptials, which are expected to take place on Wednesday night local time. Rumours were gathering pace in the south of France and on Hollywood gossip websites that fellow Scientologist and movie star Cruise would act as celebrant at the wedding. Cruise is now apparently qualified to perform Scientology weddings. Cruise, wearing a striped polo shirt, walked down the front steps of the hotel with his wife, who had what appeared to be a black wrap draped over her shoulders and was wearing a pair of giant sunglasses while carrying the couple’s 14-month-old daughter. They got into a waiting silver car and waited for a short time, possibly discussing how to evade the throng of photographers and camera crews gathered at the front gate. The car then drove off, using a side exit before driving straight past the main entrance with the media in hot pursuit. Earlier, Mr Packer and Miss Baxter caught a zodiac across to the hotel from their luxury cruiser, the Arctic P. They were joined on the jetty by Packer family matriarch Ros, who was wearing a striking full-length leopard-print dress with turquoise beading around the neckline, and several friends, many of whom carried matching white and blue beach bags packed to the brim. The party has well and truly started on the Cote d’Azur. Now, all that remains is the wedding ceremony itself. But exactly where, when and how Mr Packer and Miss Baxter will marry remained a tightly-protected secret as preparations continued. Friends and guests of Australia’s richest man jetted in from all corners of the globe for the $A6 million wedding, but none admitted to knowing what they were in for. “We’ve all been kept in the dark, so it’s a nice surprise,” said Sarah Murdoch, the wife of Packer’s mate Lachlan Murdoch. The wedding of the 39-year-old media and gaming mogul to the 29-year-old model turned singer from Gunnedah looks set to take place aboard the Arctic P. The converted icebreaker last year hosted Cruise and Holmes on their honeymoon. Much of the pre-wedding action has been taking place on the cobalt waters of the Mediterranean off Cap d’Antibes. Media mogul Rupert Murdoch enjoyed time on his yacht, the Rose Hearty, with his wife, Wendi Deng, and their two daughters, Grace and Chloe. Murdoch’s son Lachlan swam to his father’s craft from his own yacht moored nearby, the Graziella, spurning an offer of a lift with his wife, Mr Packer and Miss Baxter as they sped past in a zodiac. Ms Murdoch said she had been looking forward to days of water sports and relaxation, adding: “All the Aussies are here.” As with all good weddings, details of the bridal gown remain a closely-guarded secret, although one report suggests it will be a $A100,000 haute couture number. For guests, the dress code for each lavish occasion appeared to be one thing they had been briefed on. Ms Murdoch, who married Lachlan in 1999, will appear at the wedding in an outfit by Australian designer Willow. Nine Network reporter Leila McKinnon, who is married to former Nine boss and Mr Packer’s close friend, David Gyngell, will wear a dress by Carolina Herrera. Television and AFL personality Eddie McGuire said he won’t be acting as MC, which perhaps points to broadcaster and Packer friend Alan Jones filling that role. “I’ll be giving them a toaster,” Mr McGuire said of his wedding gift. Mr Jones was tight-lipped about the wedding, saying only that it would be “interesting and involved” and there would be “something for everyone”. Mr Gyngell predicted the wedding would be “amazing”, and said of Packer: “I’ve never seen the guy so happy in my life.” Miss Baxter will walk down the aisle with her father Michael, a solicitor from Gunnedah in north western NSW. (Source: Ararat)

Beckhams celebrate last Real Madrid victory with Cruise and Holmes Posted: 19 Jun 2007 10:54 PM GMT-06:00 Tuesday June 19, 07:57 PM By ANI Washington, June 19 (ANI): The Beckhams celebrated the victory of the footballer’s last match with Spanish giants Real Madrid with star couple Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. The two couples were spotted together after Beckham’s 3-1 win over Mallorca for the Spanish title at Basque restaurant, El Chistu. According to a source, while the footballer ate black pudding and steak, the former Spice girl only had pineapple and strawberries. “Victoria only ate pineapple and strawberries, nothing else,” US Weekly quoted the source, as saying. Team captain Raul Gonzalez, Roberto Carlos, coach Fabio Capello were also present and the group sang ‘campiones, campiones’ and other victory songs all night. “David and his group were all singing ‘campiones, campiones’ and other victory songs all night. Victoria, Tom Cruise and Katie were all joining in the singing,” the source said. The Beckhams moved out with Cruise and Holmes at 5:00 am, to a local nightclub Shabay, where the four enjoyed dancing until dawn. “They left looking very bleary-eyed and had clearly been having a great night. The sun was coming up by the time they left,” a source said. Beckham, who is set to play for L.A. Galaxy, took a final bow at the last day of the La Liga season in Spain at the Bernabeu stadium on 17 June 2007. (ANI) (Source: Yahoo India)

New Layout & New pictures from France Posted: 19 Jun 2007 07:44 PM GMT-06:00 As you can see, there is a new layout. Just for a change. And, Tom has spent the day at the beach while in France with Katie and Suri. Pictures are here. (Thanks again to Mariana) Edited to add: Pictures from Berlin, where Tom visited the church of Scientology HQ Small Note off-topic: Some people have been accusing me of stealing pictures from another fansite. All I can say is that I dont even visit that site. I have my own sources to get the pictures for this site, and I don’t take from other fansites without asking. So, please, if someone wants to accuse me of anything, please do it in my e-mail, I can proove to anyone that any picture that isn’t credited, is original from here. It’s easy to come and accuse, but I have yet to see anyone to be right. I’ve always had people trying to put me down and minimize the work I do on this site. I’ve built this site all by myself, and a few years ago I had the blessing of meeting Chantal who brings us all the latest things on Tom. And now Des has joined the team, and is doing a wonderful job too. And, of course, all the wonderful donators. TomCruiseFan.com is the biggest site on Tom, has been since I’ve opened it and will always be. I don’t do the site for me, I do it for my visitors, you, (yes, you), and everything we bring here is for the fans of Tom who love his career and his work as much a I, Annie, Chantal and Des do.

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Cruise Clan Clad in White Posted: 19 Jun 2007 12:33 AM GMT-06:00 Tom Cruise and wife Katie Holmes arrive in Nice, France via private jet on Monday with their 14-month-old daughter Suri. After attending David Beckham's last soccer game in Madrid, the Cruise clan arrived in France with all matching head-to-toe white and off-white ensembles including Katie in a pair of short shorts. Even Suri's teddy bear matches! (Katie's carrying it.) The family is in town for the wedding of Aussie heir James Packer in France's Cote d'Azur, which will take place on Wednesday. He's s one of the Church of Scientology's richest benefactors after he inherited a $6.5 billion fortune from the late Kerry Packer, his father. (Source: Just Jared) A picture and view album below: Nice, France via private jet

Pictures Posted: 18 Jun 2007 11:21 PM GMT-06:00 Added some more candid pictures, and now they come in high resolution (Big thanks to Mariana) In Berlin - After a Business Meeting Dinner-Homage to David Beckham who played his last match in Real Madrid Real Madrid soccer game Sorry guys I’m still absent from the site. Lucky for us, Chantal and Des are keeping us up-to-date. I’m still going over doctors and medication, trying to adjust and getting better, but I’m hopeful this new doctor is gonna find a way of helping me. Keep the love and keep loving Tom!

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Victoria Beckham and celeb friends attend soccer victory Posted: 17 Jun 2007 11:48 PM CDT Victoria Beckham, her children and U.S. actor Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes attend Real Madrid’s Spanish First Division soccer victory over Real Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid June 17, 2007. (Source: China Daily) A picture and view album below: Madrid- June 17, 2007 at Real Madrid soccer game (Source: China Daily and Yahoo) More pictures added: Candids from Wolfgang Puck's The Cut restaurant

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Tom Cruise is number 8 on Forbes List 2007 Posted: 14 Jun 2007 11:35 PM CDT NEW YORK (Reuters) - Talk show queen Oprah Winfrey has replaced Tom Cruise as the world’s most powerful celebrity Cruise dropped to No. 8 from top spot last year, yet still showed his power by securing a deal with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. to revive United Artists movie studio just months after his bitter split from Paramount Pictures. (Source: Yahoo)

Carice van Houten Lands Female Lead in ‘Valkyrie’ Posted: 14 Jun 2007 04:40 PM CDT Dutch actress Carice van Houten, who starred in Paul Verhoeven’s Black Book (AKA “Zwartboek”), has landed a role in director Bryan Singer’s Valkyrie, says her manager. It will be her fist American feature and she’ll play the wife of Tom Cruise. Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Patrick Wilson, Stephen Fry and Tom Wilkinson co-star in the thriller, in which German generals hatch a scheme to assassinate Adolph Hitler at the height of WWII. It is based on actual events. Shooting is set to take place in Berlin this July and October. United Artists will distribute in 2008. (ComingSoon.net) Who is Carice van Houten, you might ask? Well, read the following opinion by the reporter of Cinematical.com: Anyone who has seen the masterful Black Book knows that Carice van Houten is destined for major, lasting stardom, and Hollywood seems to be catching on quickly. We’ve been hearing rumours for a while now that van Houten is in consideration for the female lead in the next James Bond adventure, but if Eva Green’s casting timetable is any guide, the deal could potentially go unannounced for another eight months, if it happens. Still, van Houten isn’t cooling her heels — after recently signing on for an indie project about South African poet Ingrid Jonker, she’s now landed a role in a major Hollywood production. She’s signed on to Bryan Singer’s Valkyrie, presumably as Nina von Stauffenberg, the 30 year-old wife of Tom Cruise’s character, a German general who plots to assassinate Hitler. In leaked excerpts from the script online, Nina von Stauffenberg is described only as a “beautiful, dignified” woman. The stock in this project just skyrocketed, in my opinion. Valkyrie is ramping up shooting in July, and is expected to be wrapped well before 2008. Also, as I previously mentioned, the Jonker biopic is lensing around Europe and will undoubtedly be a quick shoot, not some drawn out, protracted thing, so van Houten’s commitments have not yet put her out of the running for Bond. Heads up, Barbara Broccoli — her price isn’t getting any lower. Complete the deal now, so that you can have the next Garbo in your Bond film. (Cinematical.com) More on the movie itself: The film, which will be directed by ‘The Usual Suspects’ director Bryan Singer, will mark Houten’s American debut, Moviehole quoted Nu.nl, as stating. Others signed for the film are actors Kenneth Branagh, Patrick Wilson Stephen Fry and Tom Wilkinson. The film, which is based on the ‘July Plot’ of German officials to assassinate Hitler, is set to start filming from July in Berlin. Cruise will portray the leader of the plot, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg. Branagh will play a German general who guides Cruise’s character, and hatches the plot to kill Adolf Hitler. Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander will pen the script for the film. United Artists (UA), owned by Cruise and his producing partner, Paula Wagner, was approached by Singer and McQuarrie. The project will be UA’s second venture since its establishment in 2006. (ANI) Carice about the part: Cruise was so impressed by her after watching ‘Black book’, that he had his castingdirector call the Dutch actress. She of course responded enthusiastic, says her manager. “When you are told you can play along Tom Cruise in a movie, you are cheering of course.” Van Houten and Cruise will play a married couple. Her manager says Carice’s part isn’t big. “But she has the only feminine role in the movie.” (RTL Boulevard)

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