Katie’s ultimatum: ‘Give me another baby or I’m gone’

With Katie in final negotiations for her dream role on Broadway, Tom's pulling out all the stops to prevent his wife from fleeing.

The diminutive actor - whose own career is in freefall thanks to a series of embarrassing public gaffs - is petrified his wife's burgeoning career will ultimately eclipse his. Afraid that, once Katie gets a taste of the success she's longed for in New York, both he and their LA family life will be history, Tom's promised Katie the second baby she craves, to keep her close.

Ahlan! investigates how Tom plans to clip Katie's wings...

Born for Broadway
Katie - who is desperate to be recognised as an actress in her own right, and not just as Mrs Tom Cruise - has made no secret of her long-standing desire to tread the boards on Broadway.

"I've always had that fantasy when I was growing up, to be on Broadway," says the actress who, until now, has put her dream on hold while she takes care of two-year-old Suri. Now, Katie is tipped to take the role of Ann Deever in a production of All My Sons - a role she was born to play, say producers.

"Katie is very well suited for the role of Ann. There is an additional layer of soul to Ann and from the work I've seen of Katie, she has always impressed with multi-faceted characters. She would nail it," says producer Eric Falkenstein.

Win friends
Fearing his wife is slipping out of his grasp, the news has pushed Tom's panic button into overdrive and he's been rallying around Katie's friends and family attempting to win them over.

First on the hit list is Katie's dad Martin, who's always been wary of Tom. In an attempt to bond with Martin, Tom has offered to buy Katie a membership at LA's prestigious Bel-Air Country Club so they can all play golf together.

Also being given the special treatment is one of Katie's closest allies, Victoria Beckham. Not only did Tom treat Vic and David to a lavish birthday weekend at his Californian retreat, he's also been wooing Victoria with offers of acting work. According to reports, Tom's offered Vic a cameo in the upcoming Hardy Boys, and has even told her she can design the costumes.

Tom's trump card
If all else fails, Tom knows there is one sure-fire way of ensuring his wife stays put in their LA home: if she becomes pregnant.

According to friends, "Katie said she's got the itch." "Now, that Suri is more of a toddler than a baby, she said she misses having an infant in the house."

And Tom would be only too happy to oblige, say friends. "Katie doesn't have to ask twice," says a source. Could a carefully timed pregnancy leave Katie's acting ambitions waiting in the wings?

Meanwhile, Tom's career is in free fall
Film flops:
His last movie, Lions for Lambs, was his worse box office opening since 1986. Meanwhile, his next project, Valkyrie, has seen protests that a Scientologist was to play a German national hero.

Lose cannon:
Tom had to apologise for a series of social gaffs, including his remarks about post-natal depression.

Building bridges:
Losing favour with big movie contacts, including Paramount Picture boss Sumner Redstone, Tom's had to eat humble pie in the hopes that Redstone will consider him for Mission Impossible 4.