Tom Cruise is playing Hugh Hefner. That’s the story being pushed around by the folks at celebrity gossip syndicator BANG Media. It seems like a strange move for a guy reviled for his wacky, cultish religion and suspected by many people of holding a woman hostage to play a man who keeps a personal harem. On the other hand, maybe this is the most perfect casting ever.

Of course the news comes from a rather suspect source. BANG is a frequently wrong purveyor of poorly researched paparazzi gossip, so this could be all smoke and mirrors. Besides, after insisting that Cruise has the part they then re-qualify their statement by saying he is the “hot favorite” to play Hefner in the upcoming movie about his life.

Apparently Cruise is interested because he thinks the role would be a stretch for him, and a chance to remind everyone that he’s a pretty decent actor and not just a pretty face. Yeah, Tom Cruise, the guy who can get any woman in the world plays Hugh Hefner, another guy who can get any woman in the world. Sounds like quite a stretch Tom.

Cruise’s people haven’t confirmed whether or not he’s actually got the part, but Leonardo DiCaprio is also rumored to be in contention for it. It doesn’t really matter who they cast though, since it’s being directed by Brett Ratner, a guy known for being pretty good at ruining just about anything he gets his hands on.