I understand L. Ron Hubbard was originally preferred, but the producers were unable to locate him.
( Something about an interstellar charter flight ........)
Shame really.
They could at least have used him as an acting and body-building advisor to the
actor cultist person doing the lead part.
I mean, anyone who was "..........the first to scientifically isolate, measure and describe the human spirit...." could surely get Mr. Cruise to look 6'5', beefy, believable ......... and interesting ..........