Tom Cruise visits Jackson's warplanes

Tom Cruise was hosted by Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson during a brief visit to New Zealand. Photo / Alan Gibson

Is Tom Cruise set to star in movie director Peter Jackson's much-anticipated remake of Dambusters?

The Hollywood A-lister was given a discreet tour of Jackson's private collection of vintage warplanes during a flying visit to New Zealand this week.

Wellington's Oscar-winning special-effects guru Richard Taylor said yesterday that Cruise had made "just a friendly visit" to his studio, Weta Workshop, but refused to confirm the star's involvement in any of Jackson's projects.

Cruise blew through Wellington and the Wairarapa on an overnight visit this week, staying at Jackson's Wairarapa mansion. Jackson also took Cruise to Masterton's Hood Aerodrome to view his plane collection.

Retired pilot Robert Thurston, who was at the aerodrome during the pair's visit, said those who knew about Cruise's stopover had been sworn to secrecy.

Thurston had a brief encounter with the pair, although he did not recognise Cruise. "These two chaps came walking past and said 'G'day'," he said. "Afterwards someone pointed out that one of the guys was Tom Cruise," he said.

"It's not every day that happens, but it was all very secret what they were doing there. Peter's not one to like much publicity."

Taylor said Cruise "obviously loved New Zealand" since filming The Last Samurai here in 2003.

"He is a very amazing individual and really gracious and engaging."

He said Cruise was very complimentary about his new toddler TV series, The WotWots.