With the upcoming May release of Mission: Impossible: III, could the publicity machine at Paramount be doing damage control for Tom Cruise? I’ve seen an awful lot of him in recent days, including the article in Sunday’s LA’s Parade Magazine telling all about how Cruise’s father was abusive towards him. I believe the quote I’ve been seeing over and over is “He was a bully and a coward”. Add to that, we’re now being told Tom had a reading disability that was diagnosed at age 7, and how his parent’s divorce at age 11 caused him great pain.

Is the timing of these tales of woe coincidental, or a brilliant, strategic move, planned by a studio that stands to loose millions (and possibly billions worldwide) if no one goes to see a movie starring a man that lately, many have said is a bit off. Are we to feel sorry for Cruise with this newly released information (or shrouded explanation) so we’ll flock to see his movie out of sheer pity for his childhood, forgetting his odd behavior over the past several months?

I’ve had several people say to me that they would see MPIII if anyone but Cruise was starring in it. Seems all of his antics have left a bad taste in their mouths.

I’m just wondering if Paramount is hearing this too, and has set the PR damage control wheels in motion.

Or am I alone in this thought?