The Rock of Ages star is set to face his spouse in court next week for the beginning of their divorce proceedings next week, but he wants to talk things over with Holmes in a bid to stop the details of their relationship being made public.

A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Tom either doesn't get it or doesn't believe that his marriage is ending. He feels there is still time for Katie and him to sit down and sort out a compromise.

"He knows that they are days away from a huge public court clash and stopping that or at least making it as amicable as possible are his goals. He feels he can still communicate with Katie and wants to sit down with her one on one.

"The lawyers are working away, but Tom reckons he is the best one to communicate with his wife. He reckons he can delay the hearing or come to an interim agreement."

Cruise, 50, has reportedly instructed his lawyers to not make any public statements until he has spoken with Holmes, 33.

He was said to be "blindsided" when she filed for divorce after five years of marriage late last month in New York, and lawyers for both parties are said to be in talks to settle issues including child custody, visitation and child support for their six-year-old daughter Suri and property division.

Holmes is claimed to have filed for divorce because she is worried about Cruise's devotion to sci-fi 'cult' Scientology and the effect the quasi-religious sect may have on Suri as she grows up.