Cruise on palace mission in Italy

A sumptuous Bourbon palace that once housed the kings of Naples has been closed to the public for six days to allow Tom Cruise to shoot scenes for Mission: Impossible 3.

The 18th-century Reggia di Caserta, which has 1,200 rooms, closed yesterday and will reopen on Sunday.

The palace has been used as a film set before, including for the shooting of George Lucas’ Star Wars: Episode II in 2000. It is considered one of the greatest – and last – achievements of Italian Baroque architecture.

Before moving to Caserta, 18 miles north of Naples, Cruise shot scenes for the movie in Rome.

Mission: Impossible 3 is directed by JJ Abrams, one of the creators of ABC’s Lost and Alias. Produced by Cruise and Paula Wagner, it is due to be released in May 2006.