Tom Cruise Reveals Teaser for Digger 2026, Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Dark Comedy

Tom Cruise Reveals Teaser for Digger, Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Dark Comedy Arriving in October 2026

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Tom Cruise has officially revealed the first teaser for Digger, an upcoming dark comedy directed by Academy Award winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu. On December 18, 2025, Warner Bros. released the teaser, offering audiences a mysterious and unconventional glimpse into one of Cruise’s most unexpected roles yet.

At first glance, the short teaser immediately stands out. It shows Cruise dancing with a shovel while wearing cowboy boots, moving through minimalist interiors and a seaside promenade. As a result, the imagery signals a clear departure from the action-driven roles that have defined his recent career. The film will arrive in theaters on October 2, 2026.

A First-Time Collaboration Between Cruise and Iñárritu

Notably, Digger marks the first collaboration between Tom Cruise and Mexican filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu, who previously earned critical acclaim for Oscar-winning films such as The Revenant and Birdman. Moreover, the project represents a significant tonal shift for Cruise. While his recent work has focused heavily on blockbuster franchises, this film leans fully into dark comedy and absurdism.

According to early descriptions, the filmmakers position Digger as a “dark comedy with catastrophic proportions,” reinforcing expectations of a bold and unconventional narrative.

Plot Overview

In Digger, Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, the story’s central figure. Official plot details remain limited; however, the synopsis reveals that Rockwell is considered the most powerful man in the world. Consequently, he embarks on a manic mission to prove himself as humanity’s savior—before a catastrophe he helped create threatens to destroy everything.

Meanwhile, the teaser highlights the film’s surreal tone through repeated images of Cruise dancing with a shovel. To further fuel intrigue, the actor shared the teaser on social media alongside the caption: “We believe in Digger.”

Visual Style and Production Approach

In addition to the teaser, Warner Bros. unveiled a Saul Bass–inspired poster, which further reinforces the film’s wild and offbeat comedic identity. Furthermore, the production team shot Digger on VistaVision 35mm cameras, with acclaimed cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki behind the lens. As a result, the film promises a visually ambitious and stylistically distinctive experience.

Ensemble Cast

Beyond Cruise, Digger features a strong supporting cast, including:

• Sandra Hüller
• Jesse Plemons
• John Goodman
• Riz Ahmed
• Michael Stuhlbarg
• Sophie Wilde
• Emma D’Arcy

Meanwhile, production took place in the United Kingdom over a six-month period, spanning from late 2024 to early 2025.

Screenwriting Team and Creative Vision

Iñárritu co-wrote the screenplay with longtime collaborators Alexander Dinelaris and Nicolás Giacobone, both of whom previously worked on Birdman. In addition, playwright and screenwriter Sabina Berman contributed to the script. According to the director, Digger functions as a brutal and insane comedy, one that showcases a surprisingly wide emotional range from Cruise.

Importantly, this collaboration follows Cruise’s recent agreement with Warner Bros. to develop original feature films outside established franchises.

Cruise’s Career Shift

Since 2017, Tom Cruise has largely focused on major franchises such as Mission: Impossible and Top Gun, alongside projects like American Made and The Mummy. Most recently, he appeared in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, released in 2025.

Ultimately, Digger signals a potential turning point in Cruise’s career. Rather than relying on spectacle and action, the film positions him within a darker, more satirical framework—one that could redefine audience expectations once again.