Scarlett Johansson escapes Cruise’s clutches

Did Tom Cruise try to recruit Scarlett Johansson to Scientology?

The “Lost in Translation” star was expected to co-star with Cruise in “Mission: Impossible III” but was dropped because of “scheduling conflicts.” But it seems that there may have been other conflicts as well. Cruise invited Johansson to a Scientology center where he showed her literature about joining his controversial church, according to a report. “After two hours of proselytizing,” according to RadarMagazine.com, “Cruise opened a door to reveal a second room full of upper-level Scientologists who had been waiting to dine with the pair, at which point the cool-headed ingénue politely excused herself.”

The Scoop called Johansson’s mother/manager for comment and she declined, referring us to Johansson’s publicist, who didn’t return calls or emails. Cruise’s rep didn’t respond to requests for comment, but Rick Ross of CultNews.com told the Scoop: “Is this Tom Cruise’s version of a first date? It’s becoming increasingly difficult to make distinctions between his personal, professional and religious life. Tom Cruise and Scientology seem intent on recruiting a hot young star. Apparently, Scarlett Johansson flunked her test, but Katie Holmes passed.”

Rather be a rock star

Jared Leto has been accused of being a diva.

The “Requiem for a Dream” star was appearing with his band, 30 Seconds to Mars, in Kansas City where he apparently ticked off some of his fans. Leto met with the winners of a contest on a local radio station, and was so rude to them that the DJ apparently apologized to the fans. Leto later tried to apologize to the DJ and the listeners, but the radio station would have none of it. The DJ didn’t describe Leto’s transgressions, but he has been known to be dismissive of fans who are more interested in his movie and TV career — particularly his role on “My So Called Life” — than his music.

“It’s all about his music now,” says a source. “It’s actually not bad.”

Notes from all over

Poor Kevin Federline. Britney Spears’ hubby Kevin Federline didn’t get a single vote in a Child magazine online poll asking, Which celeb dad-to-be — or celeb who is rumored-to-be a dad-to-be — do you think will make the best father? Seal came in first with 38 percent of the vote; 22 percent voted for Ben Affleck, and “American Idol” finalist Bo Bice came in with with 21 percent. Other soon-to-be dads that made the list include actors Nicolas Cage (14 percent) and Heath Ledger (5 percent) and tennis champ Lleyton Hewitt (2 percent). ... Charlotte Church, who is said to have the voice of an angel, has the mouth of a sailor. The 19-year-old soprano sensation stunned reporters recently with her use of the f-word. ... Liz Hurley, the model turned actress turned clothing designer, says she’s sick of big women wearing small clothes. When asked what clothes she’d like to see banned, Hurley told the London Mirror: “Anything that is too small or too tight, unless you're slim and toned. I'm sick of seeing flab bulging out all over. Bare legs in a miniskirt can look dodgy at any age.”

Jeannette Walls Delivers the Scoop Mondays through Thursdays on MSNBC.com

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