Ruminations about Tom Cruise and WOTW

[Squeech]

You all remember how fellow scientologist John Travolta made what was one of the least successful movies of all time, Battlestar Galactica? And of course it was a big wet sloppy kiss to L. Ron Hubbard, based on his book...

Now WOTW is H.G. Wells' book, not L. Ron's, and will therefore generate no royalties for the estate or the church. (And I think it's old enough to be in the public domain, so the producers don't actually have to pay anybody.) So that's not the motivation.

It occurred to me, however, that the church might think that anything that propagates a science fiction mind set might be good for business, and that therefore they might want to steer their higher profile adherents in that direction.

The other thing about WOTW is, obviously, the idea that the human race is helpless in the face of more advanced powers, which would also work with the basic premise of scientology, that we're all captives of old engrams imposed on our brains by ancient clam life forms...

Is that a reasonable idea, or am I reading too much into it?

[TlalocW]

1. Battlefield Earth you mean?

eom

TlalocW

[jobycom]

2. Maybe

On the other hand, few actors would avoid a Stephen Spielberg film, and Cruise does that "one for the Oscars, one for the bank account" dance when it comes to films. His last was Collateral, where he tried to be an artiste, so this is one where he tries to rake in the cash.

No reason he couldn't have had both in mind, though. Cash and brainswashing--sounds shrublike. (Though, of course, Cruise is an active Democrat.)

[Fiona]

3. Wasn't it Battlefield Earth?

[Squeech]

4. D'oh!

Second time I've misquoted something today, trying to get a DU post done too quickly.

I think I'll go soak my head now :spray:

[Lilith Velkor]

5. I think you're reading too much into it

Steven Spielberg was the one who decided to make the film. Tom Cruise is listed as one of four co-producers, so he definitely has input, but he doesn't tell Spielberg what to do.