Tom Cruise’s new films sparks Scientology fears

Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Tom Cruise’s casting in a new wartime thriller has sparked fears he may use it to promote Scientology. The actor is to star as Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg - who attempted to assassinate Nazi leader Adolf Hitler - but Stauffenberg’s grandson has voiced his family’s concerns the film could be influenced by the sci-fi cult.

Count Caspar Schenk von Stauffenberg told The Scotsman newspaper: “I have nothing against Cruise and can even separate his work from his beliefs in Scientology. But I and other family members are worried that the picture will be financed by the sect and be used to get across its propaganda. Unfortunately, the family Stauffenberg can do nothing about this. My grandfather is a figure from history.”

The as yet untitled war thriller tells the true story of Stauffenberg, a Bavarian aristocrat-turned-colonel, who planted a bomb in an attempt to kill Hitler in 1944. The Fuhrer survived the blast and Stauffenberg was later executed. Tom, who is a devout follower of Scientology was originally going to produce the movie, but was convinced by director Bryan Singer to star in it as well. Tom is currently filming 'Lions For Lambs' with Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, due out at the end of the year.

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