Tom Cruise’s Satirical Black Comedy ‘Digger’ Directed by Iñárritu Set for October 2, 2026 Release

Early footage of Alejandro González Iñárritu’s new film "Digger," starring Tom Cruise, was showcased at the 2026 CinemaCon trade show. This project marks Iñárritu’s return to English-language filmmaking since his 2015 hit "The Revenant," which earned him the Academy Award for Best Director and made him the third filmmaker in history to win the award two years in a row. Warner Bros. Pictures has scheduled the film for a wide theatrical release on October 2, 2026.

Characterized by the director as a "wild" and hilarious satirical black comedy, the story follows Digger Rockwell—the world’s most powerful man—as he tries to save humanity after his oil company triggers a global environmental disaster. Tom Cruise, who appeared at the Las Vegas event at Caesars Palace, remarked that the role of Digger Rockwell is one he has dreamed of playing for 40 years. Initial reports from the closed-door screening noted Cruise's radical physical transformation, featuring the actor with a prominent potbelly, thinning hair, and a thick Southern drawl that evoked comparisons to "Dr. Strangelove."

Iñárritu co-wrote the screenplay with Sabina Berman, Nicolas Giacobone, and Alexander Dinelaris Jr. The ensemble cast features Cruise alongside John Goodman as the President, as well as Sandra Hüller and Riz Ahmed. Goodman reportedly has a line in the film stating, "Digger got us into this, and Digger's gonna get us out." This project represents the first film produced under Cruise’s strategic partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, which was announced on January 9, 2024, to develop both original and franchise theatrical releases.

Iñárritu, a previous Oscar winner for 2014’s "Birdman," described Cruise’s performance as an "acrobatic study" and perhaps the most demanding role of the actor's career. With a production budget of $125 million, the film is a major gamble for Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures as they prioritize high-stakes, auteur-driven cinema.