Tom Cruise's lawyers are in no rush to file divorce papers against Katie Holmes, choosing instead to let the actress "play the media" by making the split so public. 

Former Dawson's Creek star Holmes shocked Hollywood last month by moving to end the union after more than five years of marriage. 

A representative for the Top Gun icon previously admitted he was "deeply saddened" by the split, which occurred just days before his 50th birthday on Tuesday. 

Now Cruise's attorney Bert Fields reveals the actor will be taking his time to decide how he wants to proceed. 

Fields tells the BBC, "Tactically we can't say where Tom will file a divorce case and if he'll be seeking joint custody of (six-year-old daughter) Suri. We are letting the other side play the media until they wear everyone out and then we'll have something to say. 

"It's not Tom's style to do this publicly. He is really sad about what's happening."