Tom Cruise goes to Japan

“CRUISE TRAINED FOR EIGHT MONTHS FOR SAMURAI ROLE

Tom Cruise says he trained for eight months before filming his role in The Last Samurai.

He was in Tokyo to promote the movie in which he plays an American hired in the late 1800s to help Japanese warriors in western war tactics.

Cruise said his role was a difficult departure from the characters he has played in the past.

“I trained for eight months prior to shooting the film. I put on 20 pounds for the character but also for the muscle to carry the swords and wear the armour.”

In the movie, Cruise plays a retired US army captain hired by Emperor Meiji to create a modern Japanese army. Up to 500 Japanese extras were flown to New Zealand, where the film was shot, for major battle scenes.

Co-star Ken Watanabe, who has played many samurai roles, said Cruise was a quick learner: “I feel like we have been through a battle together,” he said.

Cruise said of the film’s theme of bushido, the moral code of the samurai class: “This is very personal to me. I strongly believe in the values of honour, loyalty and compassion.”

The film, directed by Edward Zwick, is due out in December

TOM CRUISE DUETS WITH JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER KOIZUMI SINGING ELVIS

Today actor Tom Cruise hailed to high heaven Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi - also praising the musical skills of the politician.

“He’s truly an extraordinary man - and really a good singer. We sang Elvis together”, said Cruise, speaking to the press after having met Koizumi at his official residence. “I think he’s a very charismatic and very intelligent man”.

Cruise didn’t reveal which songs by rock’n roll legend Elvis Presley he sang with Koizumi, who’s a versatile music lover and who’s got also Wagner amongst his favorites”.

Another article as well as a video

All pictures from the Premiere will be in the galleries tonight.