Tom And Pals Hit Back

Tom CruiseTom Cruise and his producing partner have refuted claims that Tom was dumped by Hollywood studio Paramount.

At the same time, one of Hollywood's top producers has come to his defence.

Just days after a public slating by Paramount's boss, Sumner Redstone, Tom and his team are fighting back.

Sumner claimed that the studio had dropped the movie star because "his recent behaviour has not been acceptable to Paramount".

But Paula Wagner, Tom's business partner, is fuming.

"We had ceased negotiations," she said. "I'm not sure why this happened. You need to respect your artists. I don't understand why this would be turned into a personal attack. Because that's what it is."

Tom and Katie on the red carpetShe claims the pair were planning to strike out on their own and have raised a revolving fund of $100 million from two hedge funds to establish their own independent production company.

Big shot Hollywood producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, who worked with Tom on Top Gun and Days Of Thunder - as well as being the producer on big hits such as the Pirates Of The Caribbean movies, has been vocal in his support for the actor.

"He's as viable an actor as he always was. He's a worldwide star and a lot of people want to work with him, including me."