from FOXNEWS

According to the Internet Movie Database, one of the first members of the crew who’s been secured is a prosthetics expert.

That’s because by the time Cruise’s character in “Valkyrie” — a Nazi general under Hitler’s command — is in full throttle on screen, he’s already lost an eye and a couple of limbs.

“Valkryie” is based on an original script by Singer cohorts Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander. It concerns an unsuccessful plot by his generals to murder Hitler in 1944 — not because the Cruise character opposes the Holocaust or Hitler’s other policies, but because he’s worried that the world’s most evil despot will ruin Germany in the history books.

Cruise is executive producer on this unusual project, which he’s making for United Artists with Merrill Lynch’s money.

He and Singer have already hired, according to trade reports, an eclectic cast including Carice van Houten, the sizzling sexpot from the misguided Paul Verhoeven thriller “Black Book.” Also coming aboard are said to be Tom Wilkinson, Kenneth Branagh, Patrick Wilson, Bill Nighy and Stephen Fry.

Tom’s character, just to keep you up to date, is Claus von Stauffenberg, who was executed by the Nazis for attempting to kill Hitler with two suitcase bombs on July 21, 1944. Prior to the assassination attempt, Claus was severely maimed, which means Cruise should be looking pretty grim for most of the film, unless he decides to alter history.

One reason Cruise may have agreed to do this project is because von Stauffenberg is considered by some Germans to be a folk hero.