It seems that Hollywood star-filmmaker Tom Cruise’s long
affiliation with Scientology may be over as he appears to be drifting away from
the controversial Church. The 59-year-old, who boasts more than $18 billion in
box office taking,  has been a member of
the controversial religion, founded by American sci-fi author L Ron Hubbard,
for decades.

Also Read: Tom Cruise to resume filming ‘Mission: Impossible 7’ in the UK despite surge in COVID-19 cases

On previous trips to the UK, the ‘Top Gun’ actor has been a
regular at the church’s British headquarters at Saint Hill Manor, East
Grinstead.

The star was heavily involved in an expensive renovation of
the site in 2015, and is understood to have stayed there while filming and
working in England, flying back and forth to ­London and elsewhere by private
helicopter, reports news.com.au.

Also Read: No Apologies : Tom Cruise warns ‘Mission: Impossible’ crew members over COVID-19 protocol

However, while filming the latest in the ‘Mission Impossible’
franchise, Cruise, has not been seen in the area at all.

He has been staying at a smart apartment in Knightsbridge
where he was able to enter discreetly through an underground car park, and more
recently at a secluded home in the Kent countryside close to Biggin Hill
airport, within easy reach of his private jet.

He is not thought to have visited Saint Hill Manor once –
and film sources suspect his change in outlook could be linked to a falling out
of love with Scientology amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

In public, the church says it has no official position on
vaccinations, but it is understood that many of the group are reluctant to take
jabs and avoid conventional medical treatment. In a section titled, “How To
Prevent The Spread Of Illness With Isolation”, the church’s official website
tells followers, “An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure,” but does not
specifically refer to vaccines.

 “Tom appears
extremely withdrawn at the moment – he’s really keeping ­himself to himself,
but something seems to have changed. He’s obviously under a great deal of
pressure with this film and the studio are now getting on the case because
things are so delayed and apparently over-budget,” said a source from ‘Mission
Impossible’ set.

“It isn’t really anyone’s fault and Tom has a long history
of making incredible films that more than justify the big costs, but there’s no
doubt things are weighing on his shoulders just now,” the source added.

The star has been an active member of the church since 1990,
after being introduced by his first wife Mimi Rogers.

The church’s most senior figure David Miscavige
was best man at his 2006 wedding to Katie Holmes, 42, though the marriage later
collapsed with the actress saying she wanted to protect their daughter, Suri,
now 15, from Scientology.