Tom Cruise was spotted out and about in New York in the blustery weather, looking quite pleased with himself. No doubt the actor was happy to learn that the film "Valkyrie" had finally been given a firm release date. The film features Cruise playing a German officer, Claus von Stauffenberg, who was part of the conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler in 1944. The film has suffered repeated setbacks and at one point it was expected to be released in 2009, but is now scheduled to open on December 26.

The film, directed by "Superman Returns" director Bryan Singer, also stars Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Terrence Stamp, Christian Berkel and David Schofield. However, even the film's trailer has received a mixed response, possibly due to Cruise's choice in playing a German officer with an American accent.