Anti-Hitler hero's family anti-Cruise

Tom Cruise's adherence to Scientology is causing angst among members of the family of a German World War II hero whom Cruise may portray in an upcoming movie.

Last week, it was reported that Cruise was set to play Col. Claus Schenk von Stauffenberg, who took part in a failed plot to assassinate Nazi Fuhrer Adolf Hitler, in a United Artists project. But von Stauffenberg's family, which is Catholic, is concerned that Cruise could somehow use the film to promote Scientology, The (Edinburgh) Scotsman newspaper reported Monday.

"I have nothing against (Cruise) and can even separate his work from his beliefs in Scientology," said Count Caspar Schenk von Stauffenberg, the colonel's grandson. "But I and other family members are worried that the picture will be financed by the sect and be used to get across its propaganda."

The elder von Stauffenberg was on the German general staff in 1944 when he and other officers who vowed to kill Hitler.