TOM CRUISE - 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.