Tom Cruise Takes on His Most Uncharacteristic Role in Years

Director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, known for his work on films like Birdman and The Revenant, is finally unveiling details about his upcoming project, Digger, featuring Tom Cruise in the lead role. Although the film has been in development for some time, previous teasers have kept the plot and Cruise’s character shrouded in mystery. That changes now with the release of the first official trailer, which gives a glimpse into the wild adventure that Digger promises to deliver.

Cruise’s character in Digger is already drawing comparisons to his memorable comedic role as Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder. This time, however, he has undergone a significant transformation. Gone are the toned physiques from Mission: Impossible and Top Gun: Maverick; instead, Cruise portrays a Southern oil tycoon whose insatiable greed puts the environment at risk. The U.S. President, played by John Goodman, enlists Digger to rectify his blunders and avert a global catastrophe.

Described as a satirical comedy, Digger shares thematic elements with 2021’s Don’t Look Up and Stanley Kubrick’s iconic political satire, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. With this role, Cruise appears ready to step away from his action-hero persona in pursuit of critical acclaim. Iñárritu’s films have a strong history at the Oscars, and Digger could very well follow suit.

While Cruise takes center stage as the titular character, the supporting cast is impressive as well. The trailer features brief appearances from Sandra Hüller and Jesse Plemons, with Goodman portraying an aging President and Riz Ahmed as a formidable antagonist who highlights Digger’s missteps. Michael Stuhlbarg is also part of the ensemble.

Digger is scheduled to hit theaters on October 2, 2026.