Paramount Dumps Tom Cruise

By: Shannon Gossage

The split was announced Tuesday and Cruise's recent "controversial behavior" was reportedly to blame. Sumner Redstone, chairman of Paramount Pictures parent company Viacom, said Tuesday, "It's nothing to do with his acting ability, he's a terrific actor. But we don't think that someone who effectuates creative suicide and costs the company revenue should be on the lot." Cruise has been a hot commodity for Paramount for the past 14 years. Paramount has enjoyed box office success with Cruise driven vehicles such as Top Gun and Mission Impossible 3.

Redstone went on to say of Cruise, "As much as we like him personally, we thought it was wrong to renew his deal. His recent conduct has not been acceptable to Paramount." Cruise's recent "conduct" has included, among other things, his being extremely vocal about Scientology, his outrageous romance with Katie Holmes, and his blatant attack on women who use anti-depressants to battle post partum depression. His behavior has led many to think that he is not stable and has even caused some fans to turn their back on Cruise.

Cruise's production partner, Paula Wagner, calls Redstone's comments on Cruise's conduct "outrageous," "disrespectful," and "hurtful." She also claims that Cruise's agent severed his relationship with Paramount Pictures last week and that she and Cruise are set to embark on starting their own indie film operation. She claims to have $100 million in financing but refuses to name their backers. Wagner calls the venture a "dream of Tom and mine" and that they "look forward to working with all the studios." Maybe they can name their indie film company Hubbard Pictures…