14 DAY TRIAL // Katie Holmes' decision to divorce Tom Cruise meant more than just the end of their 5-year marriage: it also meant a lot of negative attention on the Church of Scientology. Perhaps in a bid to save face, Tom is thinking of bringing Russell Brand in.
Or so say the British tabloids.
The Daily Mail claims the Hollywood actor, the highest profile member of the Church of Scientology, is thinking of talking Brand into becoming the face of Narconon, the rehab center affiliated to Scientology.
The two met on the set of the recent musical dramedy “Rock of Ages” and are, according to reports, close enough for Tom to be comfortable suggesting this to the British comedian.
Brand, in his own turn, has a long history with addiction (heavy drugs and alcohol) and has been clean for years, which makes him the ideal candidate to be the face of Narconon.
“Tom Cruise is hoping to introduce comic Russell Brand to Scientology. Newly separated Cruise is keen to recruit his Rock Of Ages co-star to be a spokesman for Scientology rehab project Narconon,” the Mail writes.
“Cruise also introduced Brand to Hollywood studio boss Sumner Redstone, who asked Russell to compere an event to help addicts,” the British tab further says.
“Tom thinks Russell’s battle with alcohol and drug addiction is a way to reach out to the vulnerable,” a well-placed source reveals for the same publication.
As we also reported over the weekend, Scientology is believed to be planning a massive PR blitz to wash away some of the negative press they've been getting for the past several weeks.
It is believed that David Miscavige, the leader of the Church and Tom's close friend, has already sent out messages to all celebrity believers, urging them to speak out to defend the Church.
Should John Travolta, Kirstie Alley or Juliette Lewis be issuing any statements on Scientology in the following weeks, we'll know that the report was accurate.