Can you really afford to lose the height? Tom Cruise gets a hair cut in preparation for Jack Reacher role

There's been a mixed reaction to the news that Tom Cruise is to take on the lead role in his upcoming film adaption of Lee Child's thriller One Shot.
But the 49-year-old actor is continuing with his preparations for the role regardless.
The Mission: Impossible star had his hair specially cut for the part in New York.

Preparation:  Tom Cruise has had his hair cut in New York yesterday for his upcoming role in the film adaption of Lee Child's thriller One Shot

Some fans of the book have protested against Tom Cruise's casting, highlighting the problem that the actor is nearly a foot too short for the role.
 The character Jack Reacher, who Cruise is to play, is six feet five inches tall to the actor's meagre five foot seven.

Too good-looking? Tom has also come under fire for being much more attractive than his character, who is not described as a 'looker' in the books

Getting ready: Tom shows off his new hair do in a simple outfit of white T-shirt and jeans

Readers have also complained that Tom is also 'too' good-looking to play Jack, who is not meant to be especially attractive.
The actor took a stroll after his appointment, showing off his short new do, which was reminiscent of the style he wore in Mission Impossible III.

Naturally for such action-packed roles negating the need to fuss over long locks is far more practical.

Is that for me? Tom looked ecstatic as he looked over the classic car he was about to drive as he shot scenes for the movie

You call this work? Tom gets in and out of the car, unable to hide his beaming smile

Tom has bought the rights to the One Shot film, which is to be directed by The Usual Suspects writer Christopher McQuarrie.
Die Another Day star Rosamund Pike is set to play the female lead.

Working: Tom chats with some of the crew as he prepares to shoot a scene

He's a hit: Tom blended in as one of the boys on set

Jack Reacher is an ex-United States Army Military Police Major, who has a knack for finding trouble.
Filming has already commenced for the film, which is due for release in 2013.
Tom has also been promoting Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, which will be released worldwide in December.

Fun scene: The classic car Tom got to drive while shooting One Shot

Cut down to size: There has been some objection from fan's over Tom's casting, since he is 10 inches shorter than his character Jack Reacher

Meanwhile his wife Katie Holmes seemed tickled pink when she was on the phone as she left ultra-expensive store Maxfield in West Hollywood.
Perhaps she was chuckling after one of Tom's assistant's gave her the lowdown on her husband's new look.
Whatever the reason the actress looked stunning in her black polka dot top and flared jeans.

Old look: Tom's hair was much longer at the Los Angeles Super 8 premiere in June

They cut off how much? Perhaps Katie was giggling after hearing of Tom's trim