Tom Cruise is playing a Nazi Colonel who attempted to assassinate Hitler in a new film called Valkyrie, which is out next year. I thought that Germany banned Cruise from filming scenes there due to his status as the International celebrity spokesperson for the evil Scientology cult. Maybe he has some personal experience as a brainwashed atomaton that he can draw on to help prepare for his character.

I’m confused because an article on Rope Of Silicon says that principal photography just began on the film in Germany, but I know I read that Germany banned Cruise from filming there. It turns out that the story was that Cruise was banned by the German military, The Bundeswehr, from filming at military sites in the country due to his well-known status as a Scientologist. This brings into question his ability to effectively portray an important historic figure, and the German military doesn’t want to be associated with that. Cruise was not barred from filming in Germany in general.

Here’s more information about the thriller Cruise is filming:

Valkyrie is set to hit theaters August 8, 2008 and just began principal photography today in Berlin. Along with Cruise the film stars Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Eddie Izzard, Christian Berkel, Thomas Kretschmann, and Carice van Houten.

The “July 20 Plot” on Hitler’s life is one of the most heroic but least known episodes of World War Two. Severely wounded in combat, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg returns from Africa to join the German Resistance and help create Operation Valkyrie, the complex plan that will allow a shadow government to replace Hitler’s once he is dead. But fate and circumstance conspire to thrust Stauffenberg from one of many in the plot to a double-edged central role. Not only must he lead the coup and seize control of his nation’s government … He must kill Hitler himself.

“Valkyrie tells a story that is not only exciting but also important,” said Singer. “It’s something that Chris McQuarrie and I have wanted to do for some time. I can’t imagine shooting it anywhere else but on location in Germany, and I’m thrilled that we were able to get Tom Cruise to play Col. Stauffenberg.”

[From RopeofSilicon.com via Towelroad and ONTD]

The picture credit on Splash News says these pictures were taken near Berlin.

These picture were on ONTD and Rope of Silicon although it’s originally from Splash News and I’ll update it with a higher res version as soon a it becomes available. Thanks to ONTD and Towelroad for the story.

Here is Cruise’s profile next to Col. Claus von Stauffenberg, the historic figure he is portraying.