Steven Spielberg blindsided by Paramount firing Tom Cruise

[buttmunch]

This summer's biggest Hollywood breakup has left Steven Spielberg caught in the middle.
The fabled director was blindsided by Paramount Pictures' decision to dump Tom Cruise, Spielberg's spokesman said yesterday. Sumner Redstone, chairman of Paramount parent Viacom, dropped the bombshell in an interview in Wednesday's Wall Street Journal.

Spielberg is a Paramount powerbroker, but he "had no advance knowledge of Sumner Redstone's position," rep Marvin Levy said yesterday. "The story broke when Steven was on an airplane. He found out when the plane landed," Levy said.

The Spielberg shutout shocked Hollywood insiders. Although the "E.T." director doesn't run Paramount, his clout and role as the head of Paramount-owned DreamWorks would seem to make him an obvious person to consult before pulling the plug.

He also directed Cruise in "Minority Report" and "War of the Worlds."

"He's the heart and soul of DreamWorks," said a source at a rival studio. "If you have Steven Spielberg, you want his blessing."

Now Spielberg's left in a tough spot because his talent agency, Creative Artists Agency, also represents Cruise.

CAA has been openly furious over Redstone's remarks. It's unclear whether Redstone checked in with Viacom CEO Tom Freston or Paramount chief Brad Grey before hauling off on Cruise.

In a highly unusual public spanking, the 83-year-old mogul said he wanted out of his 14-year partnership with Cruise because the star's wacko antics - including his Scientology stumping, Brooke Shields bashing and Katie Holmes couch jumping - damaged his box office take.

Spielberg's longtime producing partner, Kathleen Kennedy, yesterday disputed claims that the director was miffed over Cruise's behavior while promoting "War of the Worlds" last summer.

"It's not true," Kennedy, who produced the movie, told the Daily News. "[Cruise] was a consummate professional. He's done nothing wrong."

Kennedy said Cruise realizes he went over the line when he bashed Shields for taking antidepressants to fight postpartum depression.

"That, he deeply regrets," she said.

The producer said many in Hollywood were "shocked and dismayed" by Redstone's personal attacks on Cruise.

"I personally think it got handled quite badly," she said.

Nonetheless, she doesn't expect a talent backlash against Paramount.

"At the end of the day, there are only a handful of places to go," Kennedy said.

Another Hollywood big shot, "Top Gun" producer Jerry Bruckheimer, said Redstone "has the right to say what he wants," although he added, "It's not what I would do."

The "Without a Trace" producer maintains that Cruise is "one of the biggest stars in the world, and that hasn't changed."

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/sto...p-375954c.html

You have to love Sumner Redstone. It's nice to see there are still people around who refuse to play the game and instead say what they think. Integrity lives on!

[ediebrooks]

I enjoyed his comments. He basically said he liked Tom Cruise but couldn't be associated with him because of his wacky antics. Makes sense to me.

[buttmunch]

This just showed up on NYPost.com, claiming sumner Redstone's WIFE had something to do with the decision.

August 25, 2006 -- VIACOM Chairman Sumner Redstone's decision to cancel Tom Cruise's deal with Paramount Pictures was bolstered by his belief that the fanatical Scientologist's off-screen behavior had permanently turned off his female fans.
And one of those female fans happens to be Redstone's wife, Paula Fortunato.

According to an insider, Fortunato, a former school teacher, was "incensed" by Cruise's criticism of Brooke Shields, who wrote about how prescription drugs relieved her postpartum depression. "Here is a woman - and I care about Brooke Shields because she is an incredibly talented woman - where has her career gone?" Cruise ranted on national television.

"These drugs are dangerous. I have actually helped people come off them. When you talk about postpartum depression, you can take people today, women, and what you do is, you use vitamins."

Our source says Fortunato told her powerful husband, "I never want to see another Tom Cruise movie again!"

Viacom spokesman Carl Folta said, "It is true that Mrs. Redstone disagrees with Tom Cruise's views, but she and Mr. Redstone see every Paramount film."

Meanwhile, Cruise has been busier pushing Scientology than anyone knew. According to a just-declassified State Department schedule, Cruise visited then-Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage on June 13, 2003, just an hour after Armitage had met with Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward. (It's speculated that Armitage outed Valerie Plame as a CIA spy at that meeting.)

Cruise was accompanied by Tom Davis, head of the L.A. Celebrity Center for Scientology, and Kurt Weiland, Scientology's veep of communications.

What was discussed? "Only Armitage can answer that question, and he's no longer here," a State Department spokesman told us. E-mails to Armitage and Cruise's rep weren't answered, nor was a call to Scientology headquarters.

A year earlier, the "Mission: Impossible" star met with the U.S. ambassador to Germany to lend his support to the failed campaign to have Scientology recognized as an official religion there.

http://www.nypost.com/gossip/pagesix/pagesix.htm

[LynnieD]

I give Mr (and Mrs) Redstone a thumbs up. And Spielberg a thumbs down--is he that stupid to think this wasn't even a possibility?? Hello?? Even WE knew this was coming down for fucks sake. DUH. DON'T buy this at all. Spielberg knew, he's just spinning.

[Bellatheball]

It was only a matter of time before the finger was pointed in the other direction. I'll bet every one of these people silently jumped for joy or raised their glass in a toast when hearing Thetan Tom was dumped (especially SS). I'm sure things looked different the next day when they were asked to go public with their opinions. Bottom line is this Redstone guy has some balls. Good for him. I'm still willing to bet that he's outted from his position by the end of the year.

[Mel1973]

I hope you're wrong about that Bella. Looks like someone out there is finally listening to the public and the fact that we've all had enough of the dipshits antics.

[LynnieD]

Kudos Sumner! My new hero! Someone who doesn't give a SHIT.

[Grimmlok]

According to a just-declassified State Department schedule, Cruise visited then-Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage on June 13, 2003, just an hour after Armitage had met with Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward. (It's speculated that Armitage outed Valerie Plame as a CIA spy at that meeting.)

HAh, scientology has its hooks in the US government! You're all fucked now!

[Mel1973]

please, this might free tomthumb up to run for president. now that is one fucking terrrifying thought. It'd be like Florida all over the US: recounts and new votes magically showing up. I've just wet myself a little thinking about it. gonna run out and start that rumor. tata

[buttmunch]

I'm still willing to bet that he's outted from his position by the end of the year.

He basically is Viacom, owning mountains of stock, so outting him would be difficult.

[Mel1973]

as difficult as "outing" Tom, one might say.

[buttmunch]

ThetinTom's out. He just won't accept it.

[LynnieD]

Another gossip columnist noted that now Tom could be perceived as an 'underdog', and thats exactly what 'we' collectively love to see rise above it all and take back his status. God I hope not, but its a good and valid theory.

[greysfang]

I'm willing to give 3 to 1 odds that this fall you won't be able to surf late night TV without coming across an episode of Risky Business, Top Gunn, or the Color of Money.

[buttmunch]

Hmmmm...so maybe this is actually all the insane mechanizations of ThetinTomThumb and $cientology, in cahoots with Paramount in order to boost his sagging career? I'm not sure he's that clever but maybe someone over at the Celebrity Center has a little more on the ball.