ADVERTISEMENT













ADVERTISEMENT

Tom Cruise on the Daring True-Life Plot of 'Valkyrie'

 

Tom Cruise's highly anticipated suspense thriller 'Valkyrie' finally arrives in theaters December 26, and ET's own Mary Hart is with Tom, director Bryan Singer and co-stars Carice van Houten and Thomas Kretschmann to get their take on the true story and "what if" scenario that could have changed the course of World War II!

In 'Valkyrie,' Tom plays Col. Claus Graf von Stauffenberg, who helped to hatch a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler at the height of the war in order seize power and put an end to the bloodshed.

"He was a man who thought beyond himself and even his country, looking toward the world," says Tom. "Very early on he was someone who opposed Hitler."

The question posed on everyone's mind at one point or another, adds Tom, is why didn't anyone just go ahead and just shoot Hitler? Well, it wasn't that easy, explains Singer.

"You have millions of people in the army: 3,000 generals, German generals in the field; you've got fanatical Nazis working all around them, and a government that was about getting rid of him, but also [about] turning the government around," he says. "['Valkyrie'] was a very ambitious plot, and all the soldiers had taken an oath to [Hitler] personally. It's very serious."

Things weren't always so serious on the set, however, as the cast and crew tried to keep things light despite the dark subject matter -- and sometimes the location itself provided the entertainment.

"We had to stop shooting [one day] because there was a wild boar in the neighborhood," says Tom with a laugh. "That was a new one. I thought I was being 'Punk'd.'"

In the interview with Mary, Tom also showed off his new shirt designed specifically for him by Katie Holmes for their wedding anniversary, and revealed what daughter Suri thought when she saw her dad on set wearing an eye patch for the movie!

"The make-up girls are smart -- they got a teddy bear with a patch," says Tom. "She got used to that, [but] first when she saw [me with it] she would come up and take the patch off my face."

Watch ET for more with Tom and 'Valkyrie'!

Posted November 24, 2008 3:45:00 PM
See All: Bryan Singer katie holmes movies suri cruise Valkyrie

E-Mail | Print | | rssRSS | 

Recent Headlines

Jett Travolta to be Memorialized Thursday
January 7, 2009, 12:23 PM (PDT) An hour ago
HTV: Debra Messing Goes All Natural
January 7, 2009, 11:45 AM (PDT) An hour ago
Scarlett Johansson: Marriage Feels 'Calm & Natural'
January 7, 2009, 11:39 AM (PDT) An hour ago
Lisa Rinna Reveals: 'I Looked Like a Freak'
January 7, 2009, 11:02 AM (PDT) 2 hours ago
'Captain Nemo' to Return to Big Screen
January 7, 2009, 10:46 AM (PDT) 2 hours ago
Robert Pattinson Leaves Film Role
January 7, 2009, 10:44 AM (PDT) 2 hours ago
Biggest Loser Champ to Tie the Knot
January 7, 2009, 10:06 AM (PDT) 3 hours ago
Letters to John, Kelly and Ella
January 7, 2009, 09:29 AM (PDT) 3 hours ago
Mary Hart Hosts the Palm Springs Film Fest Gala
January 7, 2009, 08:52 AM (PDT) 4 hours ago
Brad Pitt's Revealing 'W' Magazine Interview
January 7, 2009, 07:00 AM (PDT) 6 hours ago

Jett Travolta to be Memorialized Thursday
Jan 07, 2009 12:23 PM (PDT)
 
'Twilight' Scribe 'Would Love to Keep' Taylor Lautner
Jan 07, 2009 06:54 AM (PDT)
 
Brad Pitt's Revealing 'W' Magazine Interview
Jan 07, 2009 07:00 AM (PDT)
 
ADVERTISEMENT

Daniel Craig arrives at the European premiere of his new Nazi drama 'Defiance' in London.

View Star Sightings Gallery

Are these looks super sweet or totally beat? YOU RATE!

View Hit or Miss Gallery

'Doubt''s adorable Amy Adams switches her nun's habit for a fashion habit at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala.

View Glam Squad Gallery

Be a part of the most watched entertainment news program in the world. Get your ET fan gear here!

Go to ShopET