Actor Tom Cruise thinks he’s an alien hunter, according to a new book written by Pulitzer Prize winning author Lawrence Wright. This is just one of several newsworthy claims that The New Yorker writer makes in his new book, “Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood & The Prison of Belief.” Wright’s book is scheduled to be released on January 17.

Wright’s claims are detailed in an article by The New York Post.

The actor thinks that he’s an alien hunter, tasked with protecting humanity for the next billion years, from an alien horde hell-bent on destroying Earth, according to Wright’s new book.

The New Yorker writer also claims that the actor nearly ran for U.S. president. Cruise reportedly told Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige: “If f**king Arnold can be governor, I could be president.”

Wright also says that Miscavige referred to Nicole Kidman as a “gold digger” who had faked her conversion to Scientology.

According to the New York Post, spokespeople for Cruise, the Church of Scientology and numerous others have denied the claims made by Wright.

Wright also discusses Cruise’s rise from neophyte to his current status as a demigod within the Church of Scientology. Wright says that actress Mimi Rogers first introduced Cruise to Scientology when he was 23 years old.

After Cruise wed Rogers in 1987, the actor became increasingly interested in Scientology and underwent “auditing.” During the auditing process, prospective members reveal details about every aspect of their lives.

Wright says that Cruise is now considered the third most powerful person in the Church of Scientology. Only late founder L. Ron Hubbard and Miscavige wield more influence.

Scientology was officially incorporated as the Church of Scientology in Camden, New Jersey in 1953. Followers of Scientology believe that humans are immortals who were reincarnated in various forms on other planets before arriving on Earth.

Critics have slammed the fact that many of Scientology’s teachings are not revealed to followers until they pay thousands of dollars to the church. According to a 2008 book by Stephen A. Kent that explores Scientology, practitioners believe that psychiatry is “destructive and abusive and must be abolished.”

Cruise is not the only celebrity who belongs to the Church of Scientology. John Travolta, Priscilla Presley, Kirstie Alley, Kelly Preston and Sonny Bono also adhere to Scientology’s teachings. Cruise’s forthcoming film “Oblivion” is reported to contain themes from the religion.

Wright’s new book has prompted a harsh rebuke from the Church of Scientology.

“The one thing ‘clear’ about Lawrence Wright’s book is that he continues to carry water for a handful of angry, bitter individuals … [who] regurgitate six decades of false, bizarre tabloid allegations about the religion’s founder, its leadership and its prominent members,” Karin Poew, a representative for Scientology, told The Hollywood Reporter.

‘Wright’s book would be better suited for supermarket tabloids because they are nothing more than a stale rehash of allegations disproven long ago,” Poew added, according to The Daily Mail.

“It is important to note that Wright’s British publisher had second thoughts, choosing not to publish Wright’s book after being informed of the numerous inaccuracies and defamatory lies it contains that were told to Wright by a handful of bitter and discredited former Scientologists.”

The book, which will be published by Knopf and available to the public on January 17, is likely to stir up additional controversy by placing Cruise and his relationship with Scientology in the national spotlight.

Do you believe the claims made by Wright in his new book? Sound off in the comments section.