The first pictures from the new Tom Cruise/ Bryan Singer project �Valkyrie� have been released and it features Cruise in character as a Nazi general with an eye patch.

This is obviously a departure from his usual action hero roles - and the film itself represents something of a departure, as this is the first movie made since Cruise was �fired� from Paramount pictures.

�Valkyrie� has met many obstacles, mainly due to the religious beliefs of its star. The German military blocked the production from filming on certain sites due to their government�s belief that Scientology (Cruise�s religion) is a �money making cult�.

A couple of other sites refused permission to film, however the production has found ways around these problems and it looks as though filming is set to go ahead.

The film centres around Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Cruise), who leads a secret mission to assassinate Hitler.

The movie is based on a real life operation and will star Brit actors Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh and Tom Wilkinson.