Box office bruising for Cruise

It would have been unthinkable just a short time ago - but Hollywood pundits were last night asking if Tom Cruise has lost his Midas touch after a poor opening weekend for Mission Impossible III.

There was speculation over whether the star's bizarre behaviour over the last year was to blame.

It was widely expected to be a hit. But audiences in several cinemas clapped and cheered when 44-year-old Cruise's character, spy Ethan Hunt, is beaten to within an inch of his life.

Showbusiness website Deadline Hollywood Daily from the newspaper LA Weekly, blamed Cruise's Scientology links and declaration of love for fiancee Katie Holmes on the Oprah Winfrey chat show for his falling popularity.

Entertainment Weekly magazine asks: 'Is Hollywood's most bankable star now a $100million gamble?'

It says: 'Applauding at the sight of Cruise being pummelled - has it really come to this?'

After promotion and a worldwide opening, including more than 4,000 American cinemas, the U.S. box office taking for the film's first day on Friday was £10million, only half what Paramount Studios bosses were hoping for.

Observers noted that many women --traditionally Cruise's loyal fans - seemed to be boycotting Mission Impossible III.

The film opened in Britain on Friday, but box office figures will not be known until later this week.