This seems like an old story, but there is some new stuff hidden in the depths of this National Enquirer report. Apparently, Tom Cruise is really pissed off at Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Pissed enough to audit them? Who knows? But there’s some kind of ancient grudge match going on, if this report is to be believed.

At first, it seems like the war might just be between Tom and Angelina. Angelina notably took Tom’s place in the lead role in Salt. Originally, Tom was supposed to star, but various things happened, and the part ended up being rewritten for an actress (perhaps because Angelina pulled the diva act and “demanded” script changes… like a name change). Salt was made with Angelina, and it will be out next July – but the trailer was just released this week, and I have to admit, I’m glad Angelina got the role and not A Friend of Xenu. According to the Enquirer, Tom is still holding a grudge about this casting decision, and then some:

Ill will between Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise threatened to boil over when Angelina Jolie snatched a plum role as CIA agent-turned-spy Edwin Salt, sources say. Tom was reportedly haggling over salary and control of the movie, prompting execs to cut off talks with him. After Angelina expressed an interest in the role, it was rewritten for a woman.

“When Tom saw they’d changed the character to a female and renamed it Evelyn Salt, he was not pleased,” a friend says. “Tom really wanted that role, and the rug was pulled out from underneath him.”

When Brad heard that Tom was grousing about it, he started calling Cruise “Dr. Strange” said the source.

The animosity between the two actors dates back to 1993 when they costarred in ‘Interview with a Vampire’ and Brad said that he hates making the movie because of Tom.

“He bugged me,” Brad was quoted saying in published reports at the time. “There came a point during filming when I started really resenting him. He’s North Pole, I’m South. He’s always coming at you with a handshake, where I may bump into you. There was this underlying competition that got in the way of any real conversation.”

Tom, whose rep denies there is any bad blood between the two, has been a huge star since 1983’s Risky Business, but Brad didn’t get his big break until 1992, and there was a definite pecking order on the “Interview” set, the friend says.

“Brad felt Tom big-leagued him. He wasn’t gracious and acted aloof around Brad,” said the friend.”

[From the National Enquirer, print edition, November 16 2009]

I swear, when I was reading about how Tom Cruise might have come across back in the day, I was reminded of Bronson Pinchot’s interview, where he described Tom as “weird and tense” and making “constant, constant unrelated homophobic comments”. In any case, I always love a good Brangelina versus TomKat story, although I don’t really buy them. I think Tom and Brad probably have what resembles a close, professional relationship/friendship based on not judging each other and not burning bridges. I’m sure Brad does think Tom is crazy – but Tom and the Church of Scientology are still powerful enough in Hollywood where everybody has a stake in not alienating them.

That being said, there is some history with this alleged battle. Back in 2008, there were some reports that Tom was pissed that Brad and Angelina were considered the better, hotter celebrity couple. After that, it was reported that Tom bought a special, one-of-kind motorcycle that Brad really wanted, and Brad might have had a hissy fit about it. Then, back a few months ago, Brad might have said that Tom’s film Valkyrie was “a ridiculous movie.” But Brad denied saying that later. So, what’s the verdict? Does Brad call Tom “Dr. Strange”?