Richard Brooks, Arts Editor
2 for 1 tickets to Singin' In The Rain, this coming Monday. Book now
The fortunes of Hollywood actor Tom Cruise have suffered a blow with the news that his next big film has been postponed until 2009.
The release of Valkyrie, which tells the story of the 1944 assassination plot against Hitler, was first postponed from this summer to the autumn and is now not expected to appear until next year.
“We were originally expecting the film to be released in June,” said a senior executive at one of Britain’s leading cinema chains.
“I know there have been all sorts of problems with this production and we will not be screening it at all this year.”
The film is not only a blow to Cruise as an actor but in his more recent incarnation as a movie mogul at United Artists (UA), the studio which made the film.
One critic in Hollywood has declared “Valkyrie is dead”, with another arguing that the film’s problems could also wreck the revival of UA.
Cruise, whose earlier career saw hit after hit with Top Gun, Rain Man and Jerry Maguire, is a stakeholder in UA, which was originally founded by Charlie Chaplin and other stars.
It has since passed through several different owners until Cruise relaunched it as a major studio in 2006.
Cruise, who is married to the actress Katie Holmes, has a minority stake with his business partner Paula Wagner, but the pair have almost total control over which films are made.
UA’s first major film, Lions for Lambs, a story about the Iraq war with Cruise and Meryl Streep starring and Robert Redford directing, flopped.
Valkyrie has been directed by Bryan Singer, who is best known for The Usual Suspects and X-Men. The new film, which was mostly shot last year at a cost of £45m, has so far left test audiences unimpressed.
The quality of Cruise’s German accent was widely commented on. The film has also had to have reshoots after footage was damaged in labs.
Cruise plays the German officer Claus von Stauffenberg, who led the plot. Other German parts are played by British actors, including Bill Nighy and Kenneth Branagh.
A flop would not be good news either for Branagh, who directed three films last year – The Magic Flute, As You Like It and Sleuth – all of which had mixed reviews.
However, Branagh has usually fared better as an actor. He won awards for the film Conspiracy in 2001, where he played the Nazi bureaucrat Reinhard Heydrich, who chaired the conference during the second world war at which the policy of exterminating Jews was decided upon.
Roger Friedman, who has a widely read film blog and a column on foxnews.com, recently advised Cruise, who was formerly married to Nicole Kidman, to “do another Jerry Maguire-like comedy” to get his acting career back on track.
The German government and von Stauffenberg's son objected vehemently to the casting of Cruise. The gov't understandably has a problem with Cruise's cult-like pseudo-religion, and von Stauffenberg said Cruise's presence would reduce a serious subject into "kitsch." Wagner/Cruise egos = defunct UA.
Robert, Montgomery, IL, USA
This movie and its making was/is heavily criticized in Germany for its diluting of facts and choice of actors.I spose a flick like that should be directed by a German as it s a thing of heart.Imagine a wimp like Tom playin a German aristocratic officer. ridiculous.he didnt got the balls...
Sean, Reading, Engalnd
I can't wait for this movie to come out! I like WWII history. I can't believe that the critics and/or movie CEOs think that this movie wouldn't sell. Look how Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade worked which are both more recent films based on NAZI Germany.
David, Columbia, USA
Perhaps Tom's unique fashion of allowing his personal feelings and personality traits be so widely viewed and documented isn't working for him...
Oh, where have all the Garbo's gone?
D Griffing, Naples, Long Beach
who honestly cares about this movie-Cruise, more than anyone, should know it's a 'risky business'.
giles Clarke, Los Angeles, United States
Oh goody, more "Nazi" flicks. Like elevator music, theres never too much of a good thing.
ed, chicago, illinois
It's common practice to kick a celebrity when they are down. Cruise has demonstrated a breadth to his talent. I applaud his attempts to accept challenge and risk. Perhaps his management at UA will provide better stories and less smut.
<br/>
Carol, Salinas, USA
Nothing worse than a Hollywood actor trying to portray a southerner. Those accents are usually over the top and silly.
JohnG, NC, USA
Whoever plays von Stauffenberg must have a deep understanding of European culture and history, its greatness AND its grotesqueness. Most of the acting would have to be internal, yet performed so that the audience could always sense the civil war raging within Stauffenberg. Cruise can't do that.
Mark Farber, Washington,
Tom Cruise is to acting, as Hulk Hogan is to Olympic wrestling.
Tom Shirley, San Diego, USA
Believability is essential for an actor to be successful today. Audiences are more sophisticated than in previous eras. Audiences also must like an actor, even when they play villains. Cruise's problem is that his personal life & character have overshadowed whatever acting talent he has.
Alan Drury, San Diego, USA
There are no German accents in the movie (unless the actor speaking is German!)
Sean James, Los Angeles, USA
Tom Cruises' talent is very limited and this lack of talent seems to be showing through in his directing and producing efforts.
Just because he was a "hunk" in yester-year, doesn't make him great today.
S. Batsch, Overland Park KS, USA
I think Kenneth Branagh is brilliant in everything I've ever seen. If this movies fails, it's just a movie they'll all survive.
Pam, D.C., USA
By mid-1944 Count Claus von Stauffenberg was more determined than ever, telling Cardinal von Galen: Now it is not the tyrant of our country or my wife and four children who are at stake: it is the entire European civilization, we must save the people of these monsters, we failed before not now"
ClemensvonMetternich, Buenos Aires, Argentina
With actors/actresses more and more expressing their NUTTY opinions on politics and people having alternative entertainment options, you see many people sending a message to the Hollywood Elite. People are tired of their holier-than-thou attitudes and their even more so idiotic political beliefs
Mike, Springfield IL, USA
I am not a Tom Cruise fan, not because of anything that goes on in his personal life, I just don't think he's a particularly good actor. That said, I was hoping to see this movie since I find the subject matter interesting, so this is a disappointing development.
Rob , Duluth, GA, USA
English actors can play whomever they like because they don't have an accent. As Jimmy Carr, says: "It's just how [English] words sound when they're pronounced properly".
That's why most multilingual Europeans change their accents when they speak any language except English.
Larry Oliver, London,
I hope Tom Cruise never makes another movie. He believes that he is better than everybody else, when it is actually the public that has helped him achieve wealth. I will not let another dime go towards Tom Cruise and his cult.
Danielle, Canton, USA
I've seen the trailer, and he comes off more the character in "a few good men' than a german staff officer. Where's max von sydow when you need him?
Paula and Tom can pick and choose any movies thay want to..they're in charge.
Delaying it is tantmount to putting it on life support...
J House, Alpharetta, USA
In general I have nothing against Tom Cruise's movie, but I find it hard to seperate him from his wack-nut cult beliefs and as his cult calls anyone who disagree's with tme a Nazi, I find this movie is just wrong on so many levels.
Food for thought
Ruronin Kenshin, Tokyo, Japan
To Peter Zwinikas: I moved to Germany when I was 26 and lived there for the next 27 years; your comment implies that there is an anti-German bias to my comments, whereas the opposite is the case. You should study real history, not the distorted Hollywood view.
Elliot Hiller, Sliema, Malta
By mid-1944 Count Claus von Stauffenberg was more determined than ever, telling Cardinal von Galen: Now it is not the tyrant of our country or my wife and four children who are at stake: it is the entire European civilization, we must save most people of these monsters, we cannot fail again. Failed
wetzvonken, Buenos Aires, Argentina
I think industry critics should stop jumping on the film because they want to make fun of Tom Cruise's career wobblings. Can't they just take the film on it's own? If it's a bad film, then it's a bad film. Don't say "the movie is going to suck because I like making fun of Tom Cruise."
Brian, Los Angeles, USA
Well that's what happens when the actors personal life looms so large that people can no longer imagine anything about the role they are playing except the actors nutty life. See Michael Jackson & The Elephant Mans bones for reference.
From here on out, it's a downward slope for Tom Mapother IV.
D Loom, Portland Oregon, America
Good job my friends. No sleep for the weary.
www.bareablog.com
"The Jeffie"
Jeff Barea, Denton, USA
Tom Cruise has made many inspiring, well-acted movies that might not have done well without him, such as the Firm, Top Gun, A Few Good Men, to name a few.
He's a talent, a good person, and deserves nothing but wishes of good luck. Sir, I salute you.
Tom Nicks, Toronto, Canada
That has to be the most benign description of Rheinhard Heydrich ever written. He was the officer in charge of the Holocaust before he was killed by partisans. I suspect that the writer of this piece learns all his history from movies.
Steve B., McLean, Virginia
I've never been a big Tom Cruise fan, but I hate seeing everyone piling on him while he's down on his luck. People seem to love kicking others when they're down. I wish Tom all the luck in his career and personal life - he does seem to have some problems.
Alice, Nashville, USA
Give us a break! Waiting for July 1944 to revolt puts a BIG question mark on the morality of those Nazi "revolters"... they were just trying to save their back sides! Check out overtime work at Auschqitz crematoria in the preceding fortnight: Terezin "family" transport and most of Hungary's Jews
Jenny, Bnei Brak Israel,
I'm sorry to say that I still don't know how to pronounce the name of this movie - that's not a good thing.
Brian Maguire, Belleville, Illinois, USA
Ja, ja, ja--They said the same thing about "Titanic" and it went ahead and won "Best Picture" I believe it will all come together for "Valkyrie" as well.
pete coyan, richmond, va
It appears many people have a good dose of envy. Talentless? He deserved an Oscar for 'Born on the Fourth of July'. He was great in 'A Few Good Men', 'Jerry McGuire', 'The Last Samurai', 'The Firm', 'War of the Worlds', 'Minority Report', 'Risky Business', etc.
Mary Catherine, Elmhurst, USA
An accomplished and successful Hollywood actor who's characteristic approach to acting which has spawned numerous parts in summer blockbusters has definitely encountered some rotten luck throughout the past couple of years, I hope he gets good coverage on this upcoming, ambitious film.
Nathan, Ipswich, England
Poor Tom. But I'm sure he'll bounce back. Despite his Scientology, he's a likable chap, who's made some good films. Magnolia, Vanilla Sky and War of the Worlds were all rather splendid.
Thomas, London,
On The Beach was a failure too. When I saw four men huddled on the beach, it never happened, so I turned it off. I know, I was there, and our company commander held us 20 feet apart, promiseing anybody who came closer would be shot. Why? Because huddled troops bring in mortar fire.
Edward kitsch, Jacksonville, FL, USA
Tom's modest talents, gargantuan ego, and over-the-top antics have severly damaged his brand. He's a pretty boy who'll have a hard time finding vehicles that are both appropriate for his acting style and that will resonate with contemporary audiences. He's living on past good fortune.
Jay, Hollywood East, USA
This is what happens when you take a film actor and over manage him. Mr. Cruise would be best served to retire for a while and lay low. He hasn't made a good movie in many years and his personal life is getting way too much attention.
James, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
If careers in Hollywood are based on good looks, Tom Cruise is dead and buried!!! I am glad the film has been squashed, it was ludicrous at best and insulting to the memory of ndecent people at worst!!
elizabeth schumann, Paris, France
I haven't seen a Tom Cruise movie since all the scientology quackery came to light. Basically, I think everyone with any connection to a legitimate religion should avoid any and all acitvities which could possibly cause cashflow to him or scientology. The guy is the biggest flake in Hollywood.
Stan, Oklahoma City,
Tom Cruise is a nutjob and his credibility is blown. He thinks he's educated but in reality he is brainwashed and noone wants to see a brainwashed guy in a movie they have to pay $40 for a babysitter, $20 for movie tickets for two and $10 in gas just to get there. It's over Tom, go get audited.
Mike, Birmingham,
oh god... Tom cruise had diffculty doing an Irish accent let a German one..."for you Tommy zee film career is over"
Elwin parsley, london , UK
"Some of the plotters were not doing it for praiseworthy reasons, but because Hitler had broken his promise to rid the country of unwanted races." That is silly, dishonest history. The SS and SA did not support the rebellion.
The film makes some Germans look good. You can't have that.
Peter Zwinikas, Chicago, USA
With Tom still supporting criminal methods of the money grabbing cult he is involved in - I have NO sympathy for him or his films. I will NEVER will attend any of his stuff, pay for anything related to him in any way or be stupid enough to fall for any of his current ongoing PR gimmicks on US TV.
Biggins, Louth, Ireland
This story pleases me at the highest level.
Tom Cruise is a talentless production of a Hollywood factory that believes that looks are more important than real talent, hence i can say that 99% of all Hollywood produced films today are sheer rubbish. So i hope this film completely flops.
Regards
Stephen Desmond, Cheshire, England
Six footer Stauffenberg played by a dwarf from Los Angeles , I give up . Has anyone ever said no to Cruise , something along the lines " Sorry Tom but your not tall enough for this role ". Hollywood used to make factually correct films but if you the boss . Enjoy losing your money Tom.
Nick Dixon, Sutton Coldfield, England
geez the last picture i saw with tom cruise was a few good men. I refuse to watch this scientologist in anything. In fact I havent been to a movie since superman returns lol
steve, STATEN ISLAND,ny, usa
It is unfortunate that a movie dealing with the German resistance to Hitler is having difficulties. In the meantime, check out the film "The Last Days of Sophie Scholl". A very readable account of the resistance is "An Honourable Defeat" by Anton Gill. I hope UA can get Valkyrie straightened up.
Mike Herbst, Mount Vernon, Washington, USA
It's hard to see how people with the talent level mentioned here could ake a bad movie from that story... who was the scriptwriter? As long as they have a competent writer it should be OK.
David Powell, Ocean City, New Jersey, USA
Tom Cruise's German is just as bad as Kevin Costner's fake old English with a flat midwest US accent in Robin Hood, and Sean Connery's dreadfully bad Scottish/Russian accent in Red October. But the worst had to have been John Wayne as Genghis Khan. Hollywood will never learn.
Bill, Tulsa, USA
Oh Dear,
What would Xenu say...
F.S.Summers, London,
Tom Cruise playing a German officer is like seeing Hillary Clinton on a catwalk. No way. He'll grit his teech and give us that "I'm tougher than any of you" look. Germans do act that way. They are subdued and calm. This film was destined to flop before it was filmed, because Tom Cruise is in it
Dan Casey, Waterloo, Belgium
Hollywood has not yet understood that by also picturing the lives of ordinary or heroic Germans in addition to the horrors during the Hitler years, they are establishing a truer picture of history which was quite different from war propaganda.
USA
Peter P Haase, Boca Raton, USA
Do you think Tom really cares? This man has money beyone his wild expectations. He can have flops for the rest of his life but it won't affect him. He is rich beyond rich. Hollywood is such a joke. They just keep giving money to these stars and they put out sub-par quality movies.
Nick, New York,
"Tom's German accent ". Why do movies have to show native Germans (or any other nation) speaking english with their unique accent ? Tom is surely not speaking German in the movie.
A. Khan, London,
Downfall was the best film ever made on the final hours of the Third Reich. Repeatably rewriting WW2 is too selective. Saving Private Ryan showed how Hollywood exploits this subject. As for the Holocaust it is not the job of a movie to dramatise this catastrophe for mass appeal.
Richard Bond, London , England
Having seen the promos, I understand what the problem is: Cruise can't act his way out of a paper bag. Everyone else becomes the character he is portraying - Cruise just stands there & reads his lines. It's painful.
Susan, DC, USA
It is my understanding that German soldiers spoke German, not english with a German accent. Once we have the characters speak english, doesn't the "authenticity" of the accent seem like a nonissue.
Mitch Ritter, Columbus, OH
I agree with Tom, Chris and Bill. I would also like to emphasize Tom's point, "Downfall" is a great movie.
Mikw, Seattle, USA
I really hate this 'accent' nonsense when making these movies. James Mason did an excellent job along with a cast that included great actors such as Richard Boone, Cedric Hardwicke; Leo G. Carroll; Jessica Tandy and others in the classic movie: The Desert Fox
Bob Snakely, Kirkland, WA, USA
I don't think the "quality of the German accent" means anything to the believability of the character. Michael Caine pulled off a believable German commando with honor (with a British accent no less!) in The Eagle Has Landed.
I can't see Tom Cruise as Count von Stauffenberg.
Bill Brandt, Sacramento, USA
Xenu's revenge is sweet!
Nick, Rotherham, UK
The actors in "Conspiracy" did not assume German accents but that didn't matter at all. As for roman epics we all expect the actors to speak Elizabethan English ! Must be the influence of W. Shakespear......B
B J Halloran, Norwich, UK
Should have been done in Germany by Germans.
The movie "Downfall" is an excellent treatment of the last days of Hitler in "Der Bunker"
Should be required viewing in schools.
Find it if you can. You will not be dissappointed.
Tom Mahooney, Grand Rapids, USA
I don't have a problem with this movie as long as it stays historically accurate which Hollywood hardly ever does manily becuase I'm not sure any of them have ever picked up a history book or can read for that matter. Also, just a thought why did they not get a German actor?
chris , usa,
"German accent"? I won't watch this movie just because of that. Why do actors who are playing Germans -- presumably speaking in German -- need to adopt a "German accent"? When we watch a Roman epic, I don't see the actors adopting Italian or Latin-speaker accents. The accent business is silly.
Bill, Miami, USA
Klaus Von Stauffenberg deserves better.
Mack, Kirbyville, Texas
LOL...Tommy boy is in trouble.......
Chukkal, Kent, USA
Xenu's revenge is sweet!
Nick, Rotherham, UK
Some of the plotters were not doing it for praiseworthy reasons, but because Hitler had broken his promise to rid the country of unwanted races: there were too many prisoners brought into Germany for slave work. This film is sending out the wrong message, they were more extreme than the Führer!
Elliot Hiller, Sliema, Malta