Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Veteran Hollywood actor Tom Cruise is ready to return to the big screen with his latest project, "Digger."
This film marks Cruise's bold foray into the black comedy genre under the direction of Oscar-winning director Alejandro G. Iñárritu.
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Scheduled for release in the United States on October 2, 2026, "Digger" is in the spotlight as it marks Tom Cruise's first film outside the "Mission: Impossible" or "Top Gun" franchises since 2017.
This collaboration is expected to showcase a side of Cruise's acting that has never been seen before, and is even said to have the potential to earn him his first competitive Oscar.
The film wrapped production in May 2025 after six months of shooting in the UK.
Digger: A Wild Comedy from an Oscar-Winning Director
"Digger" is officially categorized as a black comedy or "comedy of disaster proportions," a genre Tom Cruise rarely ventures into.
Director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, known for dramatic works like "The Revenant," describes the film as a "wild" and "crazy" comedy driven by character.
Iñárritu not only directed but also co-wrote the screenplay with Sabina Berman, Alexander Dinelaris Jr., and Nicolás Giacobone.
This project, his first English-language film since "The Revenant" in 2015, marks Iñárritu's return to Hollywood with an unexpected genre.
Tom Cruise and the Stars of 'Digger'
In "Digger," Tom Cruise will play the lead character Digger Rockwell, a role predicted to be a stark departure from his usual heroic action image.
Early teasers even showed Cruise in cowboy boots, dancing with a shovel, and looking disheveled, indicating a significant image shift.
In addition to Tom Cruise, the film boasts an impressive ensemble cast.
Big names like Sandra Hüller, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Jesse Plemons have joined the ambitious project.
The cast also includes Sophie Wilde, Riz Ahmed, Emma D'Arcy, Robert John Burke, Burn Gorman, and Pip Torrens, adding depth and quality to the film's performances.
Production Process and Plot Speculation
Production on "Digger" began in February 2024, following Tom Cruise's strategic partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures.
Principal photography took place in the UK from November 7, 2024, with renowned cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki using 35mm VistaVision film for superior visual quality.
Filming hit a minor snag in March 2025 when John Goodman suffered a minor hip injury, causing a two-day halt in production.
However, this did not deter production, which finally wrapped on May 3, 2025, after six months of intense work.
While official plot details remain under wraps, early speculation revolved around a global figure attempting to rescue the film, only for his actions to lead to disaster.
However, Iñárritu has dismissed such speculation, asserting that "Digger" is a "wild comedy" heavily character-driven, promising a unique and unpredictable narrative from Tom Cruise.
After filming wrapped, Iñárritu publicly praised Tom Cruise's "unprecedented" acting range, stating that the actor would "shock the world" with his performance in the film.