An undated handout photo shows U.S. actor Tom Cruise dressed in his role as Nazi German Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg during the production of "Valkyrie," near Berlin. (Photo: Chinadaily.com)

Tom Cruise's World War II thriller "Valkyrie" has pushed back its release date to 2009, the second postponement for a production that has endured its share of headaches.

The MGM release has been moved from October 3 to February 13, coinciding with the U.S. Presidents Day holiday weekend. Last December, it was pulled from its original July 4 holiday weekend berth where it would have competed with the Angelina Jolie thriller "Wanted."

"When an opening became available for President's Day Weekend, we seized the opportunity," said MGM distribution president Clark Woods, referring to Universal's recent decision to pull "The Wolf Man" out of that slot and into April 3.

"Valkyrie" is the true story of a German officer, played by Cruise, who tried to assassinate Hitler. The German government initially banned the production from shooting on location at the Berlin site where the plot was hatched and the conspirators executed.

Some of the footage shot at the site was later damaged during processing, requiring re-shoots. Last August, 10 extras were injured when they fell off the back of a truck during shooting in Berlin.

The movie is being produced by MGM's United Artists banner, which Cruise runs with business partner Paula Wagner. UA's debut release under the new regime, the Cruise vehicle "Lions for Lambs," bombed at the box office last November.

(China Daily/Agencies April 9,2008)