Tom Cruise stars in the upcoming film Digger, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, where the actor portrays a brash billionaire facing a global environmental crisis. The film, set for an October release, marks Cruise's latest effort to deliver a memorable cinematic experience.
Tom Cruise's Pursuit of Challenging Roles
For decades, Tom Cruise has dedicated his career to challenging himself and offering audiences unique movie-going experiences. Since his first major role in the 1981 drama Taps, Cruise has consistently sought out influential directors and ambitious projects. His collaborators have included Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Stanley Kubrick, among many others.
Digger sees Cruise, now 64, undergo a significant physical transformation. Trailers reveal him with thinning grey hair, wrinkles, and a noticeable belly as he plays Digger Rockwell, a billionaire attempting to rectify a catastrophic environmental event caused by one of his companies.
Iñárritu's Vision for 'Digger'
Director Alejandro G. Iñárritu described Digger as a relentless, recurring obsession that took 10 years to bring to fruition. He knew the character intimately, stating, "I knew who this character was. I knew how he spoke, how he survived, how he seduced reality into agreeing with him." Iñárritu chose Cruise for the role, comparing it to needing water when thirsty.
The film's trailer also features John Goodman as the U.S. president, delivering lines like, "Digger got us all into this mess and Digger’s going to dig us out again." Digger is Iñárritu's first English-language film since The Revenant.
Innovative Filming Techniques in Digger
Cruise has a long-standing fascination with the filmmaking process, dating back to his early work. For Digger, Cruise and Iñárritu are utilizing VistaVision, a large-scale cinematic format developed 70 years ago that produces a richer image. This format was previously employed by filmmakers like Alfred Hitchcock and Stanley Kubrick and has seen a resurgence in recent years.
Other notable films using VistaVision include Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another, Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights, and Yorgos Lanthimos' Bugonia. The October release date for Digger suggests Warner Bros. is positioning it for awards season consideration.
Cruise commented on the demanding nature of the film, stating, "There’s nothing better than to physically and metaphorically stand on the edge of a cliff and go, ‘Let’s do this.’" He believes Digger showcases a level of detail and skill that is new for both himself and the director.
