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