Steven Spielberg is set to make an appearance in the new Ben Stiller comedy “Tropic Thunder” - - - only, ah, it won’t be the real Spielberg.

A casting call has gone out advertising the position of a ‘Spielberg stand-in’ to appear briefly in the new film. The actor, to be shot on the 11th, needs to be “45-55yr, Cauc Male, 5'7' - 5'8' 170lbs, slight build, but strong” and most of all, needs to resemble E.T’s creator.

Tom Cruise – the real Tom Cruise, not ‘Bill Smith as Tom Cruise’ – was also rumoured to be making a cameo in the movie at one stage, but that’s never been confirmed.