http://nypost.com/news/nationalnews/43269.htm

Here's Tom Cruise making kiss-story as he pays a little lip service to Katie Holmes, the gorgeous young actress he's showing off as his hot new girlfriend.
As these photos show, it certainly appears as though the 42-year-old movie hunk is head over heels with the 26-year-old brunette star.

The couple this week happily declared they were "dating," with the notoriously private Cruise eagerly posing for pictures with Holmes as they emerged from a limo in Rome.

But some folks in the know believe the sudden romance may be little more than a carefully orchestrated publicity stunt — created to drum up press for the pair, both of whom just happen to have movies coming out in June.

Holmes is starring in "Batman Begins," which debuts June 15. Two weeks later, on June 29, Cruise will be seen in Steven Spielberg's remake of the sci-fi classic "War of the Worlds."

"This definitely looks like a setup for promotional purposes. It's a romance made in p.r. heaven," said Linda Mann, president of Mann Media, a Manhattan p.r. firm. "It'll last until the box office dies down."

Neither Tom nor Katie's reps returned calls yesterday regarding the publicity-stunt claim.



But Katie clearly seemed to be gunning for the "Top Gun" star last October when she told Seventeen magazine, "I think every little girl dreams about [her wedding]. I used to think I was going to marry Tom Cruise."

Her lawyer dad, Martin Holmes, insisted to "Access Hollywood" that the sparks are real.

"I'm happy and excited for Katie. She has a good head on her shoulders, and we trust her judgment," he said.

But a Post survey of people around Rockefeller Center found plenty of skeptics.

"I think it's a joke. He's way too old — and she's way too young and hot to be going out with him," said Mike Villa, 28.

Jessica Sanchez, 20, said: "I was shocked. I couldn't believe it. I was like, 'Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise!?' It could be a publicity stunt."

Others said that with a 16-year age difference, the couple may not be age appropriate, but at least they're close to height appropriate. The "Dawson's Creek" cutie stands 5-foot-8, only 1 inch taller than Cruise, who when he was married looked less than towering compared to the 5-foot-10 Nicole Kidman.

Both stars have had bad luck in the love department. Both of Cruise's marriages, to Kidman and Mimi Rogers, ended in divorce. Holmes and actor Chris Klein recently called off their engagement.


the age difference is almost the same as that of the lead singer of a certain band and his model now-wife.

Tom Cruise is only 5 feet 7?

If I was Tom Cruise, I'd be banging Katie Holmes too.

Yep, which means technically he could never have been Maverick because he is too short

katie holmes? damn tom could have done a lot better

tell me about it. he was "maverick" for christs sake. she was "joey".

Especially after how that bitch treated Pacey.

Umm, I don't know what you guys are on, but Katie Homes is phenomenally hot.

She's hot.

Yes she is. Good job Tom.

He already had better. Penelope Cruz.

I think Katie Holmes is much hotter than Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz.

I concur. I'm actually amazed Tom is 5'7". I always thought he was shorter.

cruz > holmes > kidman

Penelope Cruz is hideous. She looks like a bird.

Yes she does.

Holmes is much hotter.

holmes is hot as fuck. watch "The Gift" if you want to see her great ta-ta's.

it looks like he's kissing his daughter....what a weird couple.

It may definitely be a publicity stunt, but if it isn't then the age shouldn't matter as long as they both are consenting adults.

*fixed