Tom Cruise’s World War II, Hitler assassination attempt has a new release date and a new photo. MGM announced this evening that Valkyrie will now be released on December 26, 2008. Does the new release date announcement have something to do with all the positive buzz Tom is getting over Tropic Thunder? Probably. Can’t hurt to strike while the iron is hot.

Releasing on December 26th puts Valkyrie up against some stiff competition. That’s the same week The Spirit hits theaters and it also puts Tom’s movie up against another star-powered flick, the Jennifer Anniston/Owen Wilson comedy Marley & Me. They’ll also have to contend with the Disney family adventure movie Bedtime Stories, but at least they’re both aiming for completely different audiences. Valkyrie I guess is angling for people who want Nazis for Christmas. It’s a very, merry, Hitler Christmas!

Valkyrie is based on the true story of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, who plotted and failed to assassinate Hitler during World War II. Cruise plays Stauffenberg, complete with Nazi uniform and eyepatch. Click the image below to see it bigger: