By George & Josh Bate
Tom Cruise and Alejandro G. Iñárritu were welcomed to CinemaCon 2026 with resounding cheers and applause from The Dolby Colosseum crowd. The duo were there to speak about their new film Digger, described as a comedy of catastrophic proportions.
“His voice in cinema is extraordinary,” Cruise said in explaining why he wanted to work with Iñárritu. “I am so honored to work with you and be inspired by you.”
Cruise went on to explain that his adoration for Iñárritu dates back to Amores perros, a film that Cruise wore his VHS out from him watching it so much.
Iñárritu revealed that he came up with the idea for Digger nine years ago. Two years after devising the idea, he approached Cruise while the movie star was filming Top Gun: Maverick. Cruise discussed how he enthusiastically hopped on his motorcycle and journeyed to visit Iñárritu. Cruise jokingly (or perhaps not jokingly) suggested he travels by motorcycle as he can avoid traffic that way.
“Watching Tom Cruise becoming Digger Rockwell, I was not prepared for that,” Iñárritu went on to say. “We know he’s fearless. The stunts, the plane, the jumps. But I have to say, embodying this character is another kind of fearless. I think this role may be his most challenging.”
As Cruise described himself as a life-long student, Iñárritu remarked, “Its beautiful at my age to still be learning…I needed some fearless collaborator and I knew only Tom could do that….Making it with him, there was no other choice.”
Cruise elaborated, “It took 40 years for me to put on the boots of Digger Rockwell.”
“The movie is wild,” Cruise said. “It’s funny. I can’t wait for you all to see it.”
We definitely can’t wait to see Digger, especially after having an extended trailer for the film. Keep reading for a description of the footage.
Cruise dons a beer belly, pale skin, thinning white hair, and a thick Southern accent as he takes on the role of Digger Rockwell. Digger is one of the world’s wealthiest men, an oil baron with a nasty attitude.
Digger has a video call with a scientist in the Arctic, who warns of an impending ecological disaster. The billionaire ignores the scientist’s warnings, only to soon find out that the prophesied doomsday scenario is real. Meeting with an ailing U.S. president played by John Goodman, Digger is urged to fix the problem he has created.
Riz Ahmed is featured throughout the trailer, seemingly playing Digger’s assistant. We also catch quick glimpses of Sandra Hüller and Jesse Plemons.
The footage concludes in fittingly bizarre fashion as Digger feeds and strokes his dying white cat while walking around shirtless in his mansion.
Needless to say, Digger looks insane. You’ve never seen Tom Cruise like this before. This is a five-minute trailer better than most movies. It feels like Iñárritu and Cruise have created this century’s Dr. Strangelove.
Digger is in theaters October 2, 2026.