Germany Declares War On Cruise Boys Valkyrie shoot barred due to Scientology Source: Variety
The German military has refused permission to Bryan Singer's Valkyrie to use certain military locations for its shoot because of star Tom Cruise's adherence to Scientology.
The decision is apparently based on the long-standing belief in the German government that Scientology is a business concern rather than a real religion, but this is the first time that they've blocked a film being shot because of a cast member's beliefs - while Mission: Impossible III was barred from shooting at the Reichstag a couple of years back, that was part of a long-standing prohibition against filming there rather than a specifically Cruise-related concern.
Valkyrie is the story of the Resistance against Hitler among members of the German Armed Forces, who hatched a plot to assassinate the Fuhrer in 1944 using a bomb in a briefcase. Cruise is set to play Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, the ringleader of the plot and hero of the hour, in a film that co-stars Kenneth Branagh and is being written by Usual Suspects screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie, reuniting with Singer for the first time since that 1995 sleeper hit.
The German Defence ministry stated that the film-makers "will not be allowed to film at German military sites if Count von Stauffenberg is played by Cruise, who has professed to being a member of the Scientology cult. In general, the Bundeswehr [the German military] has a special interest in the serious and authentic portrayal of the events of July 20 1944 and Stauffenberg's person."
In a statement, Paula Wagner (Cruise's producing partner) said, "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. 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."
Watch this space for further news in case either side backs down. In the meantime, it is this writer's personal opinion (not representative of Empire, Emap or the webite's editor - please don't sue us!) that Scientology may be madder than a bag of badgers, but that doesn't mean that a government should take economic sanctions against its followers solely on that basis. They could by all means impose limits on Cruise's proselytising on German soil (no advice tents, say), but taking a decision about whether or not to allow filming purely on the basis of an actor's faith is a terribly bad precedent to set - or at least to follow. Hopefully reason will out on both sides, and the government will back down only to find that Scientologists all over the world have woken up and demanded their money back.
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First and formostly, I pity and disregard all those who hold a religious belief but the insane ramblings of L.Ron Hubbard amount to nothing more than a pathetic money-grabbing attempt to brainwash all those who come into contact with what can only be regarded as a cult. A lousy mix of 'Thetans' and paedophilic tendencies is what has defined Scientology for me and the recent opening of a new 'temple' by a London Metropolitan police chief was a low point for the city (coupled with their recent ta... Read More
L: eirehead
As much as I disdain Scientology, Germany has an odious history of discrimination against religions. The German government should be going out of its way to avoid actions like this.
use of their "odious history" the Germans are going out of their way in not condoning any extremist or totalitarian organisations.
Overall the basic question is, I suppose, how far you have to tolerate people who preach intolerance.
That's not the question here, though, where there doesn... Read More
tom lost credability when he started mouthing off about PND drugs,then acting like a child on oprah,the list goes on.I am finished with him and his films,I feel
sorry for his wife and kids,I hope they are not dragged into the cult!
... Read More
Scientology does not involve the belief in, or the worship of a diety - which is the core of "religion". On that basis the German military would right to refuse. ... Read More
As much as I disdain Scientology, Germany has an odious history of discrimination against religions. The German government should be going out of its way to avoid actions like this. ... Read More
As much as I disdain Scientology, Germany has an odious history of discrimination against religions. The German government should be going out of its way to avoid actions like this. ... Read More
No one should be discriminated because of their religion, no matter how crazy it is. Good to see that Tom maybe allowed to film afterall.
I have to emphasise that i do not practice or agree or condone Scientology. ... Read More
L: Mock Tudor
And now it turns out that the production actually been denied access building in question. No decision has been made at all, and if/when one is made it won't be made by the Army as they're only renting the building.
The whole story, it seems, was based on a statement by a politician who won't actually be involved in the decision making process.
eed...
uters....clickEdit...sorry I didn't see your link already... very cunningly disguised links would come up with a di... Read More
And now it turns out that the production actually been denied access building in question. No decision has been made at all, and if/when one is made it won't be made by the Army as they're only renting the building.
The whole story, it seems, was based on a statement by a politician who won't actually be involved in the decision making process. ... Read More
