Tom Cruise stunned fans at CinemaCon on Tuesday after unveiling a brand-new look at his upcoming film Digger. Described as a "dark satirical comedy," Digger boasts a star-studded cast, including Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, and Jesse Plemons.
Tom appears "unrecognizable" in the footage, transformed into oil baron Digger Rockwell -- complete with grey hair, a bulging stomach, wrinkles, and a thick Southern accent. The film follows Digger as he tries to repair an environmental disaster his company created, armed only with a shovel.
“It took me 40 years to be able to step into the boots of Digger Rockwell and play all his layers,” Tom told the CinemaCon audience. He added that Digger is "the kind of movie that made me want to make movies," describing it as "wild, funny, and something I can’t wait for you all to see."
He was joined on stage by the film's director, Alejandro González Iñárritu, who said he first conceived the idea for the project nine years ago and approached Tom about it seven years later.
He reflected on the filming process, saying, "Watching Tom Cruise become Digger Rockwell, I was not prepared for that. We know he's fearless — the stunts, the plane, the jumps — but embodying this character is another kind of fearless. I think this role may be his most challenging high-wire act."
Tom later took to Instagram to share his gratitude over the reception of the film's teaser, posting photos from the CinemaCon event alongside his message, which read, “I had a lot of fun at CinemaCon seeing so many friends. The year has already gotten off to a great start for cinema, and I’m looking forward to all the films still to come in the year ahead from countless hardworking and talented artists!"
Digger is set for a theatrical release on October 2, 2026. ~Megan Parsons