Actor Tom Cruise is rumored to be mulling over legal action after learning that he was not considered for the role of Edward Elric, in the upcoming production of the new Fullmetal Alchemist live-action film, FMA: Flaming Alchemists.

The casting for most of the major roles in the film was announced at a press conference last week, at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California, and Cruise was never referred to. He arrived at the venue two hours after everyone had left, and may also sue the production for not informing him of either the time or location of the event. Casting director Suzanna Frane, when informed of the actor's threats, seemed surprised, and maintained that Cruise was not informed of the details of the press conference because he is not, and will not be, involved in the film in any way. Cruise was clearly not satisfied with this explanation, and promised he would be consulting his lawyer later that day.

Speaking to reporters outside the locked door of the Beverly Hilton conference room where the announcements had been made, Cruise shrugged off the idea that he is too old to play the 16-year old Edward character in the movie.

"They can do anything with makeup and CGI these days," he said. "And it doesn't matter that I have short black hair. I've done long and blond before. Remember Lestat? I've got the Edward energy and I'm also short. When you think of it, I am Edward Elric. Plus, they tell me the cartoons and comics are massively popular. So the role was obviously made for me."

Meanwhile the person actually chosen to play the character, Elijah Wood, was excited at the chance to expand his acting range. "It's a challenge," he said after the announcement that he'd won the role. "You have this guy, with his companion, wandering through strange lands on a quest that could affect the fate of the whole world."

With reporters wondering whether this scenario reminded him of anything, he was vehement in his denials. "I mean, Edward gets to shout a lot. Frodo never did that. I'm really looking forward to adding that skill to my repertoire."

Sean Astin has been cast as Edward's brother and traveling companion, Alphonse Elric, while Ian McKellan will portray their father, Hohenheim of Light.

The casting of most of the other characters in the film was also announced during the press conference. Edward's military superior, alchemist Colonel Roy Mustang, will be played by Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan.

In both the anime and manga, Mustang is drawn with exotic, almost Asian looks, and Roshan will bring his own smoldering, exotic looks to the role. And judging by his recent performance as Emperor Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar in the movie Jodhaa Akbar, he will also have no trouble carrying off the Flame Alchemist's arrogant attitude.

Mustang's best friend, Major Maes Hughes, will be played by Jim Carrey, who is already cooing over small, cute children and carrying his camera at all times, taking pictures of everyone around him as he prepares for the role. "It's method acting," Carrey explained at the press conference. "I'm trying to discover the man's inner motivations. Now - say cheese!" he adding, snapping pictures of photographers taking pictures of him.

Other notable casting coups, announced at the same press conference, involved Paris Hilton as Riza Hawkeye, and Nathan Lane as Major Alex Louis Armstrong.

Hilton obliged reporters by adopting a pose she described as "dangerous," bracing her feet, pouting out her lower lip, and peering down the barrel of a toy gun she brandished at the crowd. She dismissed the idea that all the Hilton family money backing the film had anything to do with her being cast. "I was chosen because I was perfect to be Mustang's love interest," she maintained instead.

Hilton seemed surprised when informed that Mustang and Hawkeye, his second in command, never actually behaved as lovers either in the anime or the manga. But Roshan, who had flown to California from India just for the press conference, remarked that since Bollywood films generally do not portray couples kissing or engaging in similar activity, he was content that he and Paris Hilton would not be kissing in the film.

Nathan Lane, meanwhile, discussed the strenuous weightlifting program he has begun, in preparation for the role of the muscular Major Armstrong. "I love the uniform, obviously," he said. "But the first time Armstrong throws off his shirt and jacket to go bare-chested in the movie," Lane went on, shivering in pleasant anticipation, "I want viewers to see something that will make their jaws drop. And you know those twinkles that sparkle around him whenever he does that? I've already got those down cold."

Just as the press conference ended, it was reported that Fullmetal Alchemist creator, Hiromu Arakawa, had collapsed at her home in Japan as she watched the special satellite broadcast of the cast announcements. But everyone involved with the film has been encouraged to learn, in recent days, that Arakawa is now in stable condition in hospital, under heavy sedation.