Tom Cruise's Dark Comedy 'Digger' Slated for October 2, 2026 Debut

The film industry has officially confirmed a major collaboration between actor Tom Cruise and acclaimed director Alejandro González Iñárritu. Their joint venture, a dark comedy titled 'Digger,' has been unveiled to the public alongside its first teaser trailer and promotional poster. Marketed with the tagline 'a comedy of catastrophic proportions,' the picture is scheduled for release in United States cinemas on October 2, 2026, with showings slated for the IMAX format as well. This project marks a significant milestone, signaling Iñárritu's return to English-language filmmaking for the first time since his critically lauded, Oscar-winning feature, 'The Revenant,' which premiered in 2015.

For Tom Cruise, 'Digger' represents the first major picture stemming from his strategic alliance with Warner Bros. Discovery, an agreement that was formally announced in January 2024. Cruise takes on the lead role of Digger Rockwell, a character characterized as 'the most powerful man in the world' who finds himself desperately trying to avert a global catastrophe that he himself inadvertently set in motion. The screenplay was a collaborative effort, penned by Iñárritu alongside Sabina Berman, Alexander Dinelaris Jr., and Nicolás Giacobone. Notably, Dinelaris Jr. and Giacobone previously partnered with the director on the 2014 film 'Birdman.'

Principal photography for the movie took place across the United Kingdom, spanning a rigorous six-month period. The visual aesthetic of the film was overseen by Emmanuel Lubezki, Iñárritu's long-time cinematographer and frequent collaborator. Furthermore, the production opted for a classic approach, shooting the entire feature on 35-millimeter film stock utilizing the VistaVision format. The ensemble cast assembled for this ambitious project is formidable, featuring Sandra Hüller, John Goodman, Jesse Plemons, Riz Ahmed, Sophie Wilde, Emma D'Arcy, Robert John Burke, Burn Gorman, and Michael Stuhlbarg.

The professional relationship between Cruise and Iñárritu was highlighted earlier when the director presented Cruise with an Honorary Academy Award during the 16th Governors Awards ceremony in November 2025. At that time, Iñárritu offered high praise, stating that Cruise 'doesn't just act in movies—he is cinema.' It is important to note that Cruise's arrangement with Warner Bros. Discovery is not exclusive, meaning he retains the freedom to continue developing the 'Mission: Impossible' franchise with Paramount Pictures.

This pairing of Cruise, the action superstar, and Iñárritu, the celebrated auteur of intense, art-house cinema, suggests a substantial tonal departure for both creatives. 'Digger' promises audiences a truly unexpected cinematic experience, blending high-stakes narrative with the director's signature style, all filtered through the lens of a black comedy. The anticipation surrounding this unusual pairing is palpable within the industry.