Tom Cruise Shuts Down South Park  3/18/06

Tom Cruise reportedly forced US network Comedy Central to cancel the repeat of a South Park episode about Scientology by threatening to boycott publicity events for Mission: Impossible III, according to media reports.

The star is alleged to have pressurized Hollywood executives at Paramount Pictures which are owned by Viacom - as is Comedy Central.

South Park episode Trapped in the Closet thrilled fans when it aired in November (05), by poking fun at both Cruise and his controversial beliefs system. But, despite being scheduled to rerun on Wednesday night (15MAR06), it was mysteriously pulled at the last minute.

However, Cruise's spokesman denies the star threatened executives: "He never said any such thing about Mission Impossible 3."

South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone issued an statement to Daily Variety saying, "So, Scientology, you may have won this battle, but the million-year war for earth has just begun!

"Temporarily anozinizing our episode will not stop us from keeping Thetans forever trapped in your pitiful man-bodies.

"Curses and drat! You have obstructed us now, but your feeble bid to save humanity will fail! Hail Xenu."

The statement is signed "Trey Parker and Matt Stone, servants to the dark lord Xenu".